On the eve of the Italian Super Cup final, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi addressed the press in Riyadh, where Inter will face city rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. With the opportunity to secure Inter’s ninth Super Cup trophy, Inzaghi highlighted the importance of the match, the lessons learned from past derbies, and the key role of his players in overcoming their fiercest rival.
Inzaghi opened by emphasizing the significance of the Derby della Madonnina, especially with a trophy on the line:
“The derby is a special game, exciting. The first trophy of the season will be up for grabs, and this will be my thirteenth derby since I’ve been in Milan.”
He recalled key moments from past derbies, including Inter’s Champions League semi-final win over Milan in April, but also acknowledged the painful defeat in their last encounter:
“We remember the last one, it was a defeat that we deserved to lose. We’ll try to avoid the mistakes of that game, knowing that Milan has changed coach but has quality players.”
A key theme of the press conference was Lautaro Martínez, who has been vital for Inter this season. Inzaghi praised his captain for both his leadership and his performance on the pitch:
“Lautaro is very important, I’ve said it many times. He’s a great captain, he inherited an important armband and is managing it in the best possible way.”
Inzaghi, a former striker himself, noted how well Lautaro has handled the pressure despite not always scoring:
“I know what it means not to always score as he’s accustomed us to throughout his career. I see him calm, I see him in the best possible way.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of other forwards like Thuram, Arnautović, and Correa, stressing the importance of sharing the goal-scoring burden:
“We are scoring a lot with other roles too. We must try to continue like this, creating opportunities as we have been doing lately.”
Riyadh has become a familiar and successful venue for Inter in recent years, something Inzaghi hopes will continue:
“It would be very important to win. It would be the fourth consecutive for Inter, the third in Riyadh.”
He emphasized how early-season trophies like the Super Cup can give teams added momentum heading into a busy schedule.
Inzaghi expressed gratitude for the support Inter has received in Riyadh, noting the passion of the fans: “We are pleased, they have always been warm and affectionate. We promise to give everything on the pitch.”
When asked about the status of Marcus Thuram, Inzaghi provided an update: “He will try to train today, but we won’t take risks. When we return, we’ll have six games in eighteen days.”
He also acknowledged the importance of Milan’s Rafael Leao, a key player who could pose a significant threat in the final.
Despite Milan’s recent coaching change, Inzaghi made it clear that Inter has thoroughly studied their rivals: “We have watched Milan and we will watch them again today, knowing that we will focus on what we have to do. They have a quality squad, with players with pace and energy.”
Inzaghi stressed that controlling possession and minimizing errors will be critical to Inter’s success in the final.
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The Derby della Madonnina in the Supercoppa Italiana final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both Inter and Milan eager to claim the first trophy of the season. Inzaghi’s calm confidence and tactical preparation reflect a team ready for the challenge, as they aim to secure their ninth Super Cup and reinforce their dominance in Italian football.
With a history of triumphs and the lessons learned from past battles, Inter will rely on their captain Lautaro Martínez, key players like Barella and Bastoni, and Inzaghi’s strategic brilliance to overcome their fiercest rival. Whether it’s Inter’s recent dominance in the derby or Milan’s hunger to bounce back, fans can expect an unforgettable clash in Riyadh.
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