Inzaghi: I made limited rotations in Inter’s interest, we didn’t watch Napoli defeat

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi believes to have acted in his team’s ‘interest’ by deciding to make limited rotations against Venezia, also adding that they didn’t watch Napoli’s defeat at the hands of Atalanta earlier on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri manager made little changes from his side’s last game at Empoli mid-week, despite fixtures against Arsenal and Napoli looming over the Nerazzurri in the next seven days, as both Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram start in attack, with Nicolò Barella confirmed in midfield.

“The only thing I think about is tonight’s game,” Inzaghi told DAZN in a pre-match interview.

“Everyone recovered well from the last game, then I tried to make the best choices for this game.

“As managers, we always think that our choice is for the best, then you have to see how games play out, but it’s easier to speak after. You have to make decisions beforehand. and I did it in the team’s interest.”

Antonio Conte’s Napoli have suffered their second loss of the season at home against Atalanta, giving Inter a chance to cut their gap from the Serie A leaders to one point before their head-to-head next Sunday, but Inzaghi insisted his focus is solely on what his team ‘can do’.

epa11678531 head Coach Simone Inzaghi (L) gestures next to his player Denzel Dumfries during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between BSC Young Boys and FC Inter, in Bern, Switzerland, 23 October 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE

“We were training today at noon, I only think about my team and what I can do,” he added.

“We look at other teams’ results, but we try to do our best with our players.”

Hakan Calhanoglu recovered from injury but will be on the bench, as Piotr Zielinski will start again in his place, where he was already deployed one week ago in the Nerazzurri’s thrilling 4-4 draw against Juventus. Francesco Acerbi is also back, and while they’re not still at their best Inzaghi admitted they are ‘able to help’ if needed.

“Acerbi and Calhanoglu worked with the team in the last two days,” Inzaghi said.

“It’s still too little, but we had positive signs; we waited a bit more, but they’ll be able to help in case we need them.

“Zielinski can play in that [Calhanoglu] role. He always played as a mezzala, or in a two-man midfield at times.

“But he’s a very smart player, we had issues with Calhanoglu and Asslani in these games, so Barella and Zielinski must help us in a position where they played just a few times, but doing very well.”