Inter boss Simone Inzaghi praised his team’s collective effort after a 4-0 thumping of Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Despite fielding an understrength line-up, the long-serving Nerazzurri manager oversaw an emphatic performance and a crucial win.
Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi dislodged Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram from the starting XI. Both were on the scoresheet, with the latter delivering a scintillating showing. The Inter marquee summer arrival made two assists before converting a late spot-kick.
It was his breakthrough goal in the Inter shirt.
Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick from 30 yards out to put Inter in front after only 11 minutes. It was the club’s first goal from a direct set-piece in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
With the team firing on all cylinders, Inzaghi’s men left Red Star chanceless at Giuseppe Meazza. After the match, the Inter coach hailed his charges for a superb display.
“The lads did well and were focused against a team that came here to be above all defensive,” Inzaghi said in the post-match interview. “Despite that, we moved it around well and broke the deadlock with that great Hakan goal.
“Aside from a couple of counter-attacks that we could’ve read better, we were in control and created lots more chances to score as well,” the Inter manager continued.
“It was a victory we wanted to follow on from the good performance in Manchester. We have to continue along this path, I got the response I was expecting from my players, so we are satisfied,” Inzaghi concluded.
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |