Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi: “Except For A Central Defender Our Transfer Window Is Shut Both For Players In & Out” | OneFootball

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has said that besides a central defender, the transfer market is over for Inter in both directions, according to a report in the Italian media.

Speaking during his press conference ahead of the season opener against Lecce, via FCInternews, the Inter boss explained that he only expects one new piece of transfer business to be done between now and the end of the transfer window.

When asked about the possibility of a big player leaving the club in this transfer window, the coach made it clear that they are working on a replacement for Andrea Ranocchai and that is it.

“It was agreed with the club and ownership. Of the market, out of respect for the fans and the public, I will not speak. The club is working on Ranocchia’s replacement and my focus now is on Lecce.

“The team is as agreed with the club. We are missing a central player to replace Ranocchia, the club is working on it and I don’t have to talk about it anymore because the market, both in and out, is closed.”

When pushed on what happens if a replacement for Andrea Ranocchia does not arrive, he stressed that it will arrive but there are players who can be flexible in the team.

“The replacement will come, but when De Vrij was missing last year Skriniar was put there. D’Ambrosio did it because he and Darmian are the luck of every coach because they contribute in every area of the pitch. If De Vrij wasn’t there, however, Skriniar would play now.”

A small experiment was tried in a friendly that involved swapping Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco between the defence and the midfield.

On that the coach said: “I wanted to try it, as Gosens had a little problem. Now Gosens is back. Tomorrow he will play from the start. He’s very well. He’s working every day to improve all the time.”

Inter have had a mixed bag of results in pre-season but Simone Inzaghi is pleased that his team has been playing some very tough matches against good opposition.

“We have done a good job since July 6. Lots of games, many of them very demanding, but that’s what we wanted: to play against teams that are more advanced on a physical level.

“We were afraid of losing some players on a physical level, but in the end only D’Ambrosio will be out, even though he wanted to be there at all costs. He will be rested until Monday.”

A player who was a fitness concern for the Lecce game was Marcelo Brozovic but Simone Inzaghi confirmed that he will be there: “He trained regularly and will be in the game.”

The coach was asked how things are going with Romelu Lukaku back at the club to which he said:”He’s working well. Like his other teammates, I’m very happy with him. He’s not new to Inter. We made choices by selling Sanchez and Pinamonti and betting on them”.

Simone Inzaghi feels that it is great to have two quality goalkeepers now that Andre Onana has arrived: “He’s a great asset. Handanovic we know. Onana is bright, happy. He has integrated very well and will get his opportunities. For me and the staff he is a very important option.”

When asked what makes him feel it will be a great year, he said: “It has to be. We have a duty to aspire to the maximum. The team is unchanged, we lost Perisic who was very important. We brought Lukaku back and took functional players like Mkhitaryan, Onana, Bellanova, Asllani, who have quality.

“We aim for the maximum, knowing that last year we had a great run with two trophies, given the premises. There was bitterness at losing the championship by two points. The rivals have strengthened, but even they know that for the whole year there will also be Inter in the running.”

When asked what mistake cannot be repeated, he said: “We have analysed and seen. The image of the last game has stayed in our minds because of how the people rallied around us. We found a team that was better than us in the league, so we will have to do even better.”

He was also asked if he has more certainties now than this time last year to which he said: “I have certainties. I have an extra year of working with the team and the players. I inherited the same core group but I had new players with whom I got on very well.

“The fans supported us. Tomorrow a difficult championship starts again with many teams that will fight to win. My focus, for the present, is only on Lecce.

“We find a newly-promoted team with enthusiasm. They have been playing together since last year, they have a good and prepared coach. We will have to go for the win.

“I am satisfied with everyone. For tomorrow I have some doubts that I will only resolve on match day. Everyone is giving me a hard time to make the formation.”

When asked about the feeling amongst the squad, he said: “The pride of having had a great season. We were one thing and we worked to win trophies.

“We did it but we have to look ahead. It will be a difficult and unusual championship. New for all of us coaches.

“Those who will not go to the World Cup will be able to train with a sort of second training camp, for the others there will be important games at the World Cup and especially for those who will go on it will be very challenging.”

Finally, he was asked what they have worked on in the last few days: “We have decreased the loads. We did preparation to be ready tomorrow. The international matches were many and intense but that’s what we wanted because we know we have to start at our best.”