Simone Inzaghi has not ruled out the return of Lautaro Martinez, saying, “we’ll see how it goes” in the buildup to Barcelona’s trip to San Siro. Inter Milan host the Catalans for the second leg of their clash in the Champions League semi-final, and the two teams sit in a stalemate after a 3-3 draw. Both have traits that have troubled their opponents, so every available asset could tip the balance.
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‘It will practically be a final’
Inter Milan arguably came away from the first leg with a better result. Their set-pieces signalled frailty at the back from Barcelona, and they now play the return leg in front of their fans. But the manager believes that there is also room for improvement in the performance to get over the line.
“I think we played a great match where there were moments where we should have done better both in possession and out of possession. We had to try to play the ball better, even though they created a lot of difficulties for us, but I think the team played a great game, focused, clear-headed and tomorrow we should do the same, knowing that after the result of the first leg it will practically be a final.”
But Barcelona have been here before. With an early two goal lead, a set-piece strike, and a return leg at their ground, Atletico Madrid lost to the Catalans in the final four of the Copa del Rey. Inter do not want to suffer the same fate, so Inzaghi is demanding total focus from his players for this fixture.
“We play a great match against a very strong team that we have seen firsthand. We have seen their strength, and it will take a great Inter, focused, attentive, because we are facing a very great team.”
He will want his players to earn their reward for their commitment to the cause through the campaign. A 1-0 win over Verona still leaves the team three points off Napoli in the hunt for Serie A and they are also out of the Coppa Italia, so there is a chance of a trophyless campaign after hopes of a treble.
“We know titles are not a given because at the beginning of the season. Every year every team tries to win everything through hard work. We are competing again this year without having made choices or having put one competition before another, but with work this team tries give satisfaction to our fans.”
Inzaghi would also love a second shot at Champions League glory after a loss in the final in 2023.
“It was a difficult night. But it was part of the journey we made in four years with the players, our management, our fans and we want to continue. We are two games away from a possible trophy.”
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‘They have to tell me their feelings’
It is a race against time to try and get two players back into the matchday squad. Benjamin Pavard played no part in the first leg thanks to an ankle sprain, while Lautaro Martinez missed the second half of the match with a thigh injury. The captain's involvement would be a surprise after the initial diagnosis of his situation, but both men might only have a marginal role in the action on the night.
“As for Lautaro and Pavard, we will decide, together with the medical staff, together with the two players themselves, because they will be the ones who will have to tell me their feelings. Yesterday Pavard did the first part of training and his feeling was good, so we will see how it goes and decide.”
Elsewhere, Inzaghi has his eye on the strengths of the guests. Barcelona have netted 160 goals this season and are the highest scoring club across the big five European leagues. Their offensive approach is not only exciting but, it is also earning the team major honours at the business end of the campaign.
“I like Flick. He has is the most prolific team in the world. They have already won two titles, and they are also in the running for two more trophies, so we know that it will certainly take a great Inter.”
Their attitude does not change drastically whether home or away, in Spain or on the European stage. Despite this showdown taking place at San Siro, Inzaghi foresees a similar style from Barcelona.
“In the league they have 81% possession, in the Champions League 76%, so now I don't know about the Copa del Rey, but it doesn't change much from La Liga or Champions League. It is a team that we know very well has quality in possession, and skill in counter pressing. We know they are taking a risk in their defence, but it is a risk calculated very well by an excellent coach that I respect a lot.”
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‘What impressed me most is his speed of thought’
Inzaghi indicated he has attention on a similar set of players among the Catalan ranks from last week.
One of those players will be Ferran Torres, who has stepped in admirably for Robert Lewandowski. After his exploits in the Copa del Rey final, he scored the second goal against the Nerazzurri in the first leg. His quality shows how well-stacked the Blaugrana squad is for options in the final third.
“Ferran Torres, played in the first leg and had a great match. The first three games of the season they played without Lewandowski, they won all three with five goals, so we are talking about a top striker, but also a strong team. Lewandowski is special player to watch, as is Yamal, as are all their players.”
The fightback began with a solo slalom from Lamine Yamal. The 49-year-old has the unenviable job of trying to instruct his players to shut down the teenage tormentor. That task is almost impossible.
“We should try not to let him get the ball, but that's impossible in today's football. What impressed me most is his speed of thought. When he receives the ball, he already knows in a fraction of a second what to do in the next play, so he’ll be a special player to watch like many other Barcelona players.”
Inzaghi asked two of his wing-backs to deal with him last week and is working on a plan. However, the Italian is aware his side should not worry about Yamal at the expense of forgetting other attackers.
“We’ll see. Federico Dimarco and Carlos Augusto have played many times and played together. It is right to focus on Yamal who is a great player, but there are many others who can create danger.”
Their life got a little easier when Jules Koundé came off the field with an injury. Eric Garciais less offensively minded than the Frenchman but that does not mean Inzaghi expects less of a challenge.
“He's a great player. He probably paid the price for the number of games. I read he was coming off 102 or 104 consecutive games. He’s a very important player, but on Sunday I saw another player there in the Real Valladolid match who played very well against us. Eric Garcia came in, so as before when we were talking about Lewandowski, Barcelona certainly have substitutes worthy to replace Koundé.”
