Simone Inzaghi scoffed on the concept Inter would possibly kill off Milan’s title hopes in Saturday’s derby, as he claimed even Juventus stay within the Scudetto hunt.
A victory for Inter would transfer them seven factors away from Milan, whereas additionally having the benefit of a recreation in hand.
Inzaghi’s Inter will probably be the house aspect on the San Siro stadium the groups share, and the Nerazzurri paved the way on the prime of Serie A after shedding simply one in every of their opening 22 video games.
It might be exhausting to see Milan getting back from defeat to their nice rivals, however Inzaghi will not be discounting the prospect.
Requested if three factors for Inter would rely out Milan, Inzaghi stated: “I don’t assume so. There are one other 15 matches to go and all of us noticed what occurred within the first half of the season. We have been seven factors behind and drew the derby and nonetheless managed to shut the hole.”
Milan made a flying begin to the season however have been reeled in, with 2021-22 carrying distinct echoes of how the 2020-21 marketing campaign panned out.
Then, it was Antonio Conte pulling the strings as Inter charged by way of to seize the title, and now it’s Inzaghi’s flip, with a primary Scudetto of his teaching profession beckoning.
He triumphed in Serie A as a participant with Sven-Goran Eriksson’s double-winning Lazio in 1999-2000, and isn’t getting forward of himself this time.
“It’s an vital recreation and we all know how a lot it means to the followers,” Inzaghi stated of derby day. “However there are 45 factors and quite a lot of soccer to play earlier than we are able to draw any conclusions.
“I performed in a number of derbies and there’s by no means a favorite. Tomorrow will probably be no completely different: it’s a recreation that will probably be gained by nice margins. It should come all the way down to our motivation.”
1 & 2 – #Inter (53 objectives) and #ACMilan (47) have scored essentially the most #SerieA objectives this season – moreover, AC Milan (8) and Inter (7) are the 2 sides with essentially the most objectives after an open play sequence with 10+ passes. Derby. pic.twitter.com/ZlMm27AIsa
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 3, 2022
Inter have misplaced solely one in every of their final 11 Serie A conferences towards Milan. That defeat was a 2-1 setback in October 2020, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring twice within the opening 16 minutes. Inter have gained six and drawn 4 of these 11 video games, with Milan preserving a clear sheet simply as soon as.
Most indicators level to Inter giving up no floor to their metropolis rivals this weekend. Their final Serie A house defeat was that 2020 loss to Milan, and they’re undefeated in 28 video games since within the competitors when internet hosting.
Inzaghi gained simply three of 10 Serie A video games towards Milan whereas serving as head coach at Lazio, and his Inter aspect drew 1-1 with Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri earlier this season.
For apparent causes, Inzaghi would dearly love a win this time. Napoli and Milan each enter the weekend as Inter’s closest challengers, 4 factors again and having performed one recreation greater than Inzaghi’s males.
Regardless of this place of energy, Inzaghi stated the title race was “all nonetheless open”.
“In addition to Milan and Napoli, there’s Atalanta and Juventus, who’re superb groups,” Inzaghi instructed a information convention, in keeping with Inter’s web site.
“Juventus have been doing rather well within the final two months and so they’ve made some nice signings. All the groups all the way down to Juventus might win the Scudetto.”
Juventus raided Fiorentina final week to signal Dusan Vlahovic, the thrilling Serbian ahead who hit 33 objectives in Serie A in 2021, and that ought to fortify Massimiliano Allegri’s fifth-placed Bianconeri for a push into the Champions League locations.
Juve are 11 factors off the highest, additionally having performed 23 video games to Inter’s 22. Atalanta are a degree higher off than Juve, occupying fourth spot.