Inzaghi reveals two Inter starters but won’t comment on ultras’ arrests

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi revealed that Piotr Zielinski and Denzel Dumfries would start in tomorrow’s Champions League game against Crvena Zvezda but refused to reply to a question about the arrests of several Nerazzurri ultras.

Inter will make their home 2024-25 Champions League debut tomorrow, hosting Serbia league leaders Crvena Zvezda.

The Nerazzurri secured a 3-2 win over Udinese on Saturday, but they look much more vulnerable than last season, having already collected seven Serie A goals in six games.

“It’s hard to win, but winning again is even harder,” Inzaghi said at a press conference on Monday.

“The lads are working very well; we lack the consistency we had last season, so we must train for it. All teams have had issues. There have been six different table leaders in six games. Everyone is trying to improve, as we are doing.

“The lads put in an excellent performance on Saturday. We analysed the goals we conceded this morning because we must always try to improve. But we’ve got to talk about the entire team, not only the defenders. We are working, and I am confident.”

What does he think about the two goals conceded against Udinese last weekend?

“On the first goal, Thuram ran forward and the whole team should have followed him,” said the coach.

“There shouldn’t have been a cross and we should have been in a better position. On the second goal, there were multiple errors. I’ve read about Bisseck, Darmian, Acerbi and De Vrij, but you can’t say that only one single player was at fault. They all made a mistake. All Inter players made a mistake. Everyone must improve and this is what we analysed.

“Focus is a key element. We have our principles, but there are moments when the team must be more united. We must be more consistent and concede as little as possible.”

Inter held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw on their 2024-25 Champions League debut two weeks ago. What’s the biggest difference between the old and the new format?

“After two games, you could already try to predict how the group stage would go,” said Inzaghi.

“This format is more exciting and more difficult. The schedule isn’t easy, but we must focus on one game at a time.

“We’ve always passed the group comfortably, but it’s more difficult to make calculations this season. We must pay attention tomorrow because we face a well-coached team with great players. It will be a tricky game.”

Nicolò Barella is injured, while Joaquin Correa and Tomas Palacios are not part of Inter’s Champions League list. Inzaghi confirmed that he’d rotate tomorrow and even revealed two starters.

“I must decide on the strikers. They all have good chances of being involved, but I must choose yet in which way. I need all the players, especially now that there are so many games. Zielinski will surely start; I will then choose the other two [central midfielders].”

Denzel Dumfries will start as well after agreeing to a contract extension.

“I think it hasn’t been announced yet, but I am happy with the news,” argued Inzaghi.

“Denzel is an important player, and I can say he will start tomorrow, just like Zielinski.”

Lastly, Inzaghi didn’t reply to a question about a group of leading Inter and Milan ultras arrested for alleged Mafia links and other crimes this morning.

“The club said there is an ongoing investigation and asked not to comment on what happened,” he concluded.