Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi has lavished praise on his side following a hard-earned 2-0 win over a spirited Venezia side. The defending Serie A champions followed a 2-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek up with another vital domestic win to reduce the gap on the leading duo to a single point.
Napoli and Milan will have an opportunity to restore a four-point cushion at the summit tomorrow, though it won’t be easy. While the Partenopei welcome Lazio to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the Rossoneri play host to a tricky Sassuolo side at the San Siro.
Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s games, Inter boss Inzaghi is satisfied with his side’s form trajectory as the Nerazzurri continue to build momentum following tumultuous times in October. Since losing 3-1 at Lazio in late October, they have won four of their last five Serie A fixtures, barring a 1-1 derby draw with Milan on the eve of the international break.
In addition to bridging the gap in Serie A, Inter have finally made it out from the Champions League group stage after three consecutive failed attempts. And though many had questioned Inzaghi’s ability to maintain Antonio Conte’s legacy, the ex-Lazio manager continues to silence his doubters.
After Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez catapulted Inter to a comfortable win at newly-promoted Venezia, Inzaghi delivered his assessment of his side’s current form.
“It’s a great period for us and this was a big week,” he told Inter’s official website in the aftermath. “It wasn’t easy for us to play these three games in a week, but once again, we showed great character against an in-form opponent. We played some lovely football and the only downside was we couldn’t get the second goal to put it to bed earlier.
“Leaving the game open against a dangerous, well-drilled side like Venezia is always risky. But it was our third game in a short space of time and the lads did a fantastic job.“
Inzaghi seized the opportunity to take a dig at his critics.
“Some people said this was supposed to be a transition year to rebuild. I came in and the club helped me in everything. These players are magnificent and I think we’re getting better by the day. We have to keep going like this.
“We’ve achieved our first target, which was to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League, and now we can focus on Serie A, not forgetting the match in Madrid when we’ll have the chance to finish top of the group.
“I’m coaching a group of great players and great men. We got straight down to work in the summer and despite losing [Romelu] Lukaku, [Achraf] Hakimi, and [Christian] Eriksen, we brought in players suited to the way we want to play. Now we’re continuing to grow one step at a time.“