Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has revealed that midfielder Marcelo Brozovic will not be fit enough to compete in the Supercoppa Italiana on Wednesday.
The Nerazzurri overcame Hellas Verona in Serie A this evening with a 1-0 win, but must now turn their attention to the Italian Super Cup clash against AC Milan in Riyadh in midweek, as the Coppa Italia holders take on a Rossoneri side who won the league title last season.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Inzaghi gave an update on the injuries within the squad, and also revealed that striker Romelu Lukaku’s chances of featuring were in doubt, whilst goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was out.
“We’ll see. I think Brozovic and Handanovic won’t recover, Lukaku we’ll evaluate from day to day. We’ll see how he responds on the pitch after this problem that is bothering him,” the former Lazio coach said.
Inzaghi admitted that Inter’s congested fixture list, which saw them play extra-time in the Coppa Italia against Parma in midweek, was a factor in his decision not to push forward too heavily against Verona.
“I was worried more about the condition of the players, we were coming from a 120-minute game and I had Calhanoglu and Barella in doubt until yesterday but they were available. I had a lot of help in the middle from Asllani, Mkhitaryan and Gagliardini, who performed very well.”
Having played at home, Inter hold an advantage over Milan ahead of their travel to Saudi Arabia after the Rossoneri faced an away game at Lecce earlier in the day, in a match that ended 2-2.
“The rest is very important, having the match in the evening we decided to sleep here, train in the morning and leave in the early afternoon to be in Saudi Arabia in the evening. We know it’s a time of close games, rest is very important.”
The victory over Verona sees Inter move level with third-place Juventus but they trail league leaders Napoli by 10 points, but Inzaghi wanted to focus attention on his own side’s good form after a slow start to the season.
“Judgements are made for Napoli’s progress. We have won eight of our last 10 games, drawing at Monza and losing to Juventus.
“In the last two and a half months we have had great consistency. Napoli are too far away, but then there are many of us within a few points.
“We mustn’t look at the table, but from game to game, hoping to have as many players as possible and wide rotation,” he continued.
“We’ve been in football for many years, it’s normal to be criticised but everyone has to make their own experiences. We are doing very well despite the difficulties, the club always tries to stay close to us and the fans are always with us in good and bad times. Tonight and with Parma they helped us, I’m satisfied.”
Finally, Inzaghi took the opportunity to praise Roberto Gagliardini after he followed up a good performance against Parma with another impressive display in midfield.
“He was very good, he came from a period of time where he played little. He helped us a lot today and against Parma, he was very useful,” Inzaghi concluded.
Inter return to Serie A action on Monday 23 January when they welcome Empoli to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
