Inter Milan Coach Admits: ‘Lazio Won’t Be Like Any Other Match For Me’

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi admits that facing his old side Lazio tomorrow “won’t be like any other match” for him.

The Nerazzurri coach spoke to InterTV, via FCInterNews, ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A clash. He also stressed that he is nevertheless only focused on Inter despite his Biancocelesti past.

Tomorrow evening, Inter travel to Rome to take on Lazio.

The Biancocelesti are the former team of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.

Inzaghi spent more than five years as coach of the Biancocelesti. Prior to that, he had been a player for the club for over a decade, and also coached their youth team.

There is certainly no question of the impact that Lazio had on Inzaghi’s career.

The 48-year-old won the Serie A title with the Biancocelesti as a player. And as a coach, he won the Coppa Italia with them, and also guided them back to the Champions League.

Inter Coach Inzaghi Admits: “Lazio Not Like Any Other Match For Me”

However, Inzaghi has now been at Inter for over three years.

The 48-year-old has well and truly established his Inter legacy. He has won the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia twice, and the Supercoppa Italiana on three occasions with the club.

And Inzaghi has also guided Inter to the Champions League final.

Moreover, Inzaghi has the chance to win more silverware with the Nerazzurri this season.

Still, the Inter coach admitted that “For me, matches against Lazio will never be the same as any others.”

“Even though tomorrow will already be the eighth time I’ve faced them as a coach. The fourth at the Olimpico.”

“I don’t forget my journey there,” Inzaghi said. “The trophies won, first on the pitch and then on the bench.”

“For that, I thank all my former teammates and players,” Inzaghi said.

“And then a thought for Lazio, certainly. For [Biancocelesti President Claudio] Lotito.”

“To [former Lazio Sporting Director Igli] Tare, and to all the players I’ve worked with in my career.”

“I was lucky enough to have been at Lazio. Now, I just think about Inter.”

Inzaghi called Inter “a club where I feel great at the moment, and where I feel appreciated by everyone.”

“That’s why I’m proud of what I’m doing here at Inter,” Inzaghi said.

Inzaghi Expecting A “Tricky Match” Vs Lazio

As far as what he expects from tomorrow’s match, Inzaghi said that “It will certainly be a tricky match.”

“We’re facing a team who have won sixteen out of the 22 official matches they’ve played this season,” the Nerazzurri coach noted.

“And who, even when they haven’t won, have played some excellent matches.”

“It will be a tough match,” Inzaghi anticipated. “We have to interpret it at our best.”

“We have to give credit to everyone there,” he continued. “Both the club, and the coach.”

“Baroni is doing great things. The team is organized and the players are playing great football.”

Of facing tomorrow’s match after a disappointing defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, Inzaghi said that “We know European matches take energy away.”

“Just look at the results of last weekend,” the Inter coach noted.

“But it’s the same for Inter, for Lazio, and for all the teams that play in European competitions.”

“Playing in European competitions is a source of pride and prestige,” Inzaghi made clear.

“In any event, I’m sure both teams will give everything to play a great match,” he added.

And of the title race, Inzaghi noted that “I said before the season started that it would be a balanced title race.”

“With a lot of contenders, who have all strengthened.”

“In my view it’s right to consider Lazio as being in it,” the Inter coach argued.

“Because, beyond their place in the table, they have a well-organized style of play that can keep them among the contenders to win it.”