Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi offered his assessment of the disallowed goal in tonight’s gut-wrenching draw at Barcelona.
Speaking to Prime after the match via FCInterNews, the 49-year-old discussed the incident that occurred in the 75th minute.
Despite Inter’s abysmal run before tonight’s fixture, they fared outstandingly against Europe’s most in-form team.
Furthermore, the Nerazzurri could’ve left Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with a crucial first-leg advantage.
Indeed, Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries fired the Italians 2-0 up inside the opening 21 minutes.
However, Barcelona fought back through Lmine Yamal and Ferran Torres before Dumfries restored Inter’s lead.
Still, Yann Sommer’s unfortunate own goal rescued a share of the spoils for Los Blaugranas.
Simone Inzaghi Comments on Inter Milan Controversial Draw vs Barcelona
Henrikh Mkhitaryan found the net in the 75th minute after pouncing on Dumfries’ inch-perfect through ball.
Yet, referee Clement Turpin disallowed the goal for one of the closest offside calls you’ll see this season.
VAR upheld the on-field decision, leaving Inzaghi fuming.
“There’s huge satisfaction for having played a great match against what is currently the strongest team in the world,” Inzaghi said.
“Of course, being twice in the lead and then having that disallowed goal — which I still don’t understand why it was ruled out — leaves some regret.”
Asked to offer his opinion on that controversial moment, Inzaghi replied: “Better no.
“These episodes can make the difference.
“But it doesn’t change anything about how I feel about these guys, they were fantastic.”
Meanwhile, he commented on Inter’s tactical approach.
“We tried to adjust a few things. Let’s not forget that on the other side there was a player we haven’t seen in 8-9 years.
“Yamal caused us so many problems.
“Even triple-marking him wasn’t enough because it opened up spaces, so we had to sit deeper.
“Eventually, he faded a bit, and we produced a second half of great quality.
“We know their strategy works. It’s risky, but they’ve scored 150 goals this season, won two trophies, and are competing for two more.
“They have immense quality, but we put in a very organized performance. You don’t come to Montjuïc and play matches like that easily.”
Lautaro Martinez Injury & Returnees Impact
Inter potentially lost Lautaro Martinez to a thigh injury as El Toro had to come off at halftime.
Afterward, Inzaghi offered a fitness update on his captain.
“Unfortunately, he had a small issue, but he had played eight consecutive matches.
“We’ve had some problems in recent games, I was without Thuram during crucial fixtures.
“Taremi was coming off an injury and deserves praise for coming on in a tough match.
“When you play eight matches in a row, this risk is always there, and he had to wave the white flag.
“I hope I don’t lose him, but I have some doubts.”
Finally, Inzaghi praised Dumfries and Thuram for having an immediate impact after returning from injuries.
“Marcus and Dumfries are very important players who we’ve missed.
“Thuram trained yesterday after 15 days and didn’t even take shots in the warm-up, but he played a great match, just like Dumfries.
“They’re key players and we missed them in many top-level matches.
“We got the same result here three years ago. I’m happy for the fans, the players appreciated the final embrace after the Roma match.
“Tuesday will be a final; whoever wins goes to Munich, whoever loses goes home.”
mhiki n hakan isnt play at their best last night. both maybe need rest. or maybe we could try barella to replace hakan, n zalienski at mhiki position.
playing carlos over di marco would be wiser to cover yamal.
hope lautaro fit for 2nd leg.
Really proud of the boys last night, and yes, Mikis goal was offside my Arse!!!
Had a quick look at the match comments, which served as a reminder as to why I don’t go on there anymore…. so called fans, slating a coach who is punching way above his weight with a zero budget!! Also noticed recently that people are bored of slagging off Asllani (who does usually deserve it) and have now switched to Bisseck… He’s made a few errors this season, but how so called fans can turn so quickly is beyond me!! And Barcas first equaliser was clearly because of Acerbi gambling and losing his man… nothing to do with Bisseck!!
We are 2 games away from possibly winning the Champions League!! Would a little positivity be such a ridiculous thing to expect???
Whatever happens this season, I’m proud of this team, and with the run we’ve had in Europe, Inzaghi will finally have his first transfer budget this summer!!! FORZA INTER!!!!
i personally think bayern munich was more dangerous than barcelona, but it seemed that inter ran out gas. yamal is great young player, the thing is dimarco always getting fooled by his body feint, he should have let yamal cross instead shooting, even if he cross with his right foot, barca has no pure striker , i hope instead of dimarco, inzaghi let carlos augusto start he can mark him better. i have bad feeling for the 2nd leg i pray im wrong n inter can win champions league this year, n i dont care about serie a, champions league isnt every year opportunity. lets all pray together.
Whatever technology is being used for offside calls it is a joke, half a toe offside it is absurd to call, specially when Barca defenders entire hand was beyond Mikhetaryan’s toe it is a biggest BS of modern football.
Ridiculous that VAR operate with that hard line, without standard error of measurement, allowing for some small fraction +/- the drawn line, as a consequence the idea of giving the attacking team the benefit of the “doubt” (SE m), would return.
with VARcelonas high line a fully fit and rested inter would have chewed them alive. but this inter is tired. our midfield was choked with the high line, our forwards had no legs, and the defence could not be sharp. how I wished this was the final and not the semis, as we would have a few days break before it. but, that being said… at the start of the season looking at how Napoli, merdentus, bilan, Atalanta, Florentina and even como strengthened while we sat polishing our tools I did not expect a top 3 finish. so all of this is just the cherry on the cake.
Heavily rotate vs Verona. Keep many of the starters on the bench so they can refresh for the Barca game. It is worth the risk, a gamble worth making. You have won everything in Italy and Napoli has the upper hand, so focus on the UCL.
Absolutely