MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Simone Inzaghi insists that one week does not cancel out four years of hard work as Inter head into the Champions League semi-finals against Barcelona after a run of three consecutive losses across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
The Nerazzurri squad have arrived in Catalonia ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The teams will meet again for the reverse fixture in San Siro next Tuesday.
Inzaghi has shared his thoughts at his pre-match press conference, providing his point of view after an uncharacteristically poor run of results, his analysis on Barcelona and an update on the conditions of Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco and Benjamin Pavard.
Inter are coming into the Champions League semi-finals after a 1-0 loss away to Bologna in Serie A, a 3-0 loss to Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final and a 1-0 defeat by Roma in the league over the weekend.
Inzagh insists that he is not overly concerned by his side’s form given the progress he has seen from the squad over multiple seasons: “The boys have been extraordinary so far, the last week does not wipe out the work we’ve done for four years,” Inzaghi said, reported via Tmw.
“We had to do better in the last three games, but after four years, here we are competing for all of our goals, when some said that it would be hard to get into the top four in Italy.
“You will never hear me speak badly of my boys or of the club. It is thanks to them that we have been able to do well over the last four years, going beyond all expectations.”
One reporter asked if this is the most challenging week Inzaghi has had during his Inter tenure.
He replied: “It’s not the most difficult moment when you’re going into a Champions League semi-final. There’s enthusiasm. We’ve come from a bad week and tomorrow we’ll have to be good in every department to get past a great opponent.”
The coach was also asked what he expected to achieve by the end of the 2024-25 season given that the Serie A title is now in Napoli’s control.
“You always have to have ambition, we’ve always shown it. We don’t know how the season will end, the league is out of our hands, but in the Champions League, we’re among the best teams in Europe.
“The boys have given everything, the last week was not so positive, but the team will play in this semi-final with a lot of desire. Then we’ll see who gets to the final.”
Inzaghi gave the press a short response when asked about the condition of left wing-back Federico Dimarco, telling them: “Let’s see.”
He continued: “Thuram did his first training session with the team today, we haven’t had him since Bayern. We’ve done a good job, in short, he gave us good signs, but I have to evaluate tomorrow morning and I will speak to him again.
“The others, apart from Pavard, are all there. I can play Bisseck, Darmian but also De Vrij as the third defender.”
Inzaghi went on to provide his analysis of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona and explained which part of their game makes them one of the best teams in the world.
“It’s a team we’re familiar with, Flick is a great coach who has brought a lot of organisation to a great attacking team. They are among the most organised teams in the world when they lose the ball: The offensive players are all better than each other.
“It’s a team that’s been built over time, with lots of players who have come through the youth sector. They have incredible numbers and have won two titles, and they’re competing for more.
“We have the utmost respect, but no fear. We’re talking about Barcelona, Bayern, Real, City, Arsenal – They’re all great opponents in a tournament where you have this level of competition, but we’ve had an amazing journey. We want to have a semi-final like a true Inter side tomorrow.
“Everyone has their own philosophy. Bayern is different to Barca, even if they are similar in some ways. We will have to give everything we did against Bayern again, with a lot of fluidity. We’ve worked a lot on video in the last few days and put it on the pitch today.”
