Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi has stressed the importance of the upcoming mouth-watering Serie A match against Juventus. The reigning Italian champions will host bitter rivals to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday for the first Derby d’Italia of the season.
Inzaghi suffered his first Serie A defeat in charge of the Nerazzurri last time out. His former employers Lazio came from a 1-0 half-time deficit to claim a 3-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico and halt Inter’s seven-match unbeaten start to this top-flight campaign.
A 3-1 home triumph over Sheriff Tirspaol in midweek Champions League action has lifted the spirits at Giuseppe Meazza as Inter seek back-to-back Serie A home wins over Juventus for the first time since 2010.
With the hosts’ lead over a resurgent Massimiliano Allegri’s side being whittled down to a mere three points, the Nerazzurri will be keen to hamper Juve’s momentum. Following a dreadful start to the season, the Bianconeri have found their feet under Allegri and are currently riding on a four-match winning Serie A streak.
Inzaghi knows that another victory here would effectively carry Juventus back into the Serie A title race and expects his Inter players to bring their A-game to the table on Sunday.
“The season has just begun, but it is a very important match,” he said, as relayed by FCInterNews. “Two very strong teams face each other and we play in front of our fans. The team is fully aware of what the game represents for the club and the fans and therefore we will need a great game.
“Tomorrow is a very important match beyond the three points. After Rome we talked a lot with the team. We were saddened by the defeat and the episode that made it 2-1.
“From there we decided that already from the match on Tuesday from now on we will also play with the opponent on the ground and only the referee will be able to stop the game. Two and a half days later we did well to react. Tomorrow we have another great chance.“