Simone Inzaghi emphasizes the necessity for Inter to maintain full concentration against Genoa in order to sustain their flawless performance in 2024. He expresses confidence despite the absence of certain players, asserting that the team has consistently demonstrated resilience.
Following their 4-0 victory over Atalanta in the rescheduled Week 21 fixture, the Nerazzurri currently hold a 12-point lead at the summit of the Serie A table.
Their advantage could potentially widen, with Juventus facing reigning champions Napoli away in tonight’s match.
Inter will undergo lineup alterations for the Genoa encounter, with Alessandro Bastoni serving a suspension and several key players including Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcus Thuram, Davide Frattesi, Francesco Acerbi, Stefano Sensi, and Juan Cuadrado sidelined due to injury.
“There will be some changes, but I am fortunate enough to have lads at my disposal who always gave a great response when called upon,” Inzaghi told Inter TV.
Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino is poised to field nearly a complete squad, with the anticipation of initiating Mateo Retegui, Albert Gudmundsson, and former AC Milan player Junior Messias into the starting lineup.
“Genoa are a very good team, they have 33 points in the table and are having an excellent campaign. I think in the last 12 games they only lost late on to Atalanta, so they are in good shape and we must be fully concentrated. We’ve got to avoid misplaced passes and try to build out from the back in our usual way.”
Inter has relinquished points in merely four Serie A fixtures during the ongoing season, with one such instance occurring against Genoa. The encounter concluded in a 1-1 stalemate at the Marassi stadium in December.
“My staff and I just bring our tactical principles to the squad and then the lads are very good at putting them into practice.”
In the year 2024, the team has emerged victorious in all competitive fixtures, encompassing notable triumphs in the Supercoppa Italiana and the Champions League. In response to inquiries regarding their exceptional performance, Inzaghi was prompted to articulate the term he deems fitting to encapsulate their current state of form.
“I’d say ‘continue’ – these two months have been great, but we already know there are difficult matches coming up and we must continue to play with pace, aggression and determination.”