Inzaghi explains how to stop Yamal and anticipates good news against Barcelona
Italian coach calls for ‘very good Inter’ to secure second UEFA Champions League final in last three seasons
Inter could make history on Tuesday at home to Barcelona , and Simone Inzaghi knows that better than anyone. In his preview of the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg, the Italian coach stressed his desire to play in the final of the millionaire competition for the second time in three seasons: «We all know how important the game is. Tomorrow we need a very good Inter .»
«We are two games away from a possible victory despite all the difficulties. It was not a given, we are here without valuing one competition over another. These are exciting matches, we work for this» reinforced Inzaghi, who could become only the second coach to lead Inter to two finals of the millionaire competition.
Lautaro is racing against time
Asked about the possible recovery of Lautaro Martínez in time for the home match against the Catalans , Inzaghi left any decision until the game: «Regarding him and Pavard , we will decide with the staff and the players. They will tell us how they feel after training.»
Despite opening the door to using Inter ‘s captain and top scorer , the Italian coach left a guarantee: «A player who cannot start is unlikely to come off the bench for the last twenty minutes. I will decide tomorrow, always taking into account what is best for Inter .»
The million-dollar question: how to stop Yamal?
In the first leg in Barcelona (3-3), Inter built up a two-goal lead in the first half, but Lamine Yamal started the Barça comeback with a great goal. Simone Inzaghi gives the recipe to prevent the young winger from becoming a devil on the loose again, this time in Milan: «He is very difficult to contain, we have to try not to let the ball reach him, but it is impossible. We will put two players on him, but he is very dangerous, with an extraordinary quickness of thought.»
Inzaghi downplayed the absence of Koundé on the Blaugrana ‘s right flank and the return of Lewandowski : “They have a lot of alternatives at this level.”
Even on the eve of one of the most important games of his career, Simone Inzaghi did not forget his brother, Pippo, who promoted Pisa to Serie A last weekend: «I congratulated him immediately after the final whistle. They had a great campaign, it was not a promotion by chance.»
Two days after his brother’s day of glory, the Inter coach hopes to extend the successful week for the Inzaghi family with a victory over Barcelona , in a duel played at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
