Inter: Inzaghi spurs the team after the defeats, the objective is recovery against Roma and Barcelona

by Giulio Mola

Reset and turn the page, avoiding the dangerous domino effect after the two heavy defeats against Bologna (in the championship) and Milan (in the Italian Cup) which however should not be forgotten. It is the categorical imperative dictated by Simone Inzaghi yesterday at the resumption of training. At home Inter rather, it is necessary to metabolise the mistakes made and look with optimism to the next fiery month. Losing a semi-final, even more so in a derby, hurts. It stings. And it is not just a question of "parochialism" for a team that only ten days ago, after having eliminated the Bayern Munich laid down by the Champions, was considered "unplayable". No, there are no invincibles, in Italy or in Europe. Even if it is quite an effect to go from being the favourite team in the upcoming double challenge with Barcelona to a handful of unwary "cooked" and in disarray. Fierce criticism. Merciless. Even excessive where greater balance would be needed. The dream of the Treble has been shattered, true, but the Scudetto and the Champions League remain to be chased. For this reason the coach and his team must get up immediately because there is no time to feel sorry for themselves and recriminate. Tomorrow we return to the field, another nine days of apnea: the Roma who are playing their last chances to get into the top four of the championship, then on Wednesday the away match in Catalonia, then in a week's time again at San Siro (in the evening) against the Verona and finally on Tuesday 6th the return with the Azulgrana to earn a place in the final Monaco of Bavaria.

Inzaghi, very good but clearly struggling when it comes to managing critical situations (the exaggerated nervousness would not explain) has been working hard on the minds of his players since yesterday, and in fact yesterday he gathered the whole group in midfield to spur them on with peremptory tones. The Piacenza coach asks to free the mind from bad thoughts and demands greater concentration especially in the defensive phase even if he is the first to know well that at this moment physical strength must also be recovered after a very tiring season. "It is useless to deny it - Inzaghi acknowledged on Wednesday evening - We are tired, but tiredness must not be an alibi". Right. But it is there. And it shows. Let the reinforcements come, then. Denzel Dumfries (8 goals and 3 assists this season) and Piotr Zielinski on the bench against Roma, Marcus Thuram on the launch pad towards Barcelona. The emergency is not completely over, but at least from that point of view the worst seems to be over. Yesterday the Dutch winger and the Polish midfielder worked entirely with the rest of the group and are both effectively available again for tomorrow's match. There is no risk though, they will not start as starters but if necessary Inzaghi knows he can count on them. For the rest the formation seems already made, with Carlos Augusto e Fraternity ready to replace the disqualified Sticks e Mkhitaryan. While Acerbi e Calhanoglu they will return to the field from the beginning.

The situation is different for the French striker who continues to train separately without any work on the pitch. And the medical staff remains very cautious: on Wednesday Inter will play the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals away to Barcelona and the goal is to be able to count on a top-notch Thuram for the Montjuïc challenge.