Inzaghi: ‘Frattesi part of Inter project, take positives from pressure’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi tries to ‘take the positive’ aspects from growing pressure on Inter after the Supercoppa Italiana and reiterates Davide Frattesi is ‘part of the project.’

The Nerazzurri were forced to reshuffle after the painful 3-2 Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Milan on Monday, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi and Joaquin Correa were injured, with Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard not fully fit either.

Nonetheless, they emerged with all three points from Venezia’s Stadio Penzo thanks to Matteo Darmian turning in the rebound from a Filip Stankovic save on Lautaro Martinez.

It was far from simple, the woodwork keeping Gianluca Busio’s potential equaliser out, but it was a sixth consecutive Serie A away victory for Inter, all of them with clean sheets.

“It was not easy for us after losing the Final that way, but the lads did so well, despite coming here tired and missing many players,” Inzaghi told DAZN.

“If we analyse the second half, all our moves could’ve come to a second goal and when you don’t kill the game off, it stays open, especially with great Stankovic saves. It was not simple, but we won and that is what we wanted.”

Inzaghi looks at Inter positives

VENICE, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale has a shot blocked by Jy Idzes of Venezia during the Serie A match between Venezia and FC Internazionale at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on January 12, 2025 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Nicolò Barella said in his post-match interview that Inter reacted to ‘at times excessive criticism,’ so does Inzaghi see it the same way?

“I take the positive aspect of that, because if Inter hit the headlines when they lose, it shows how rare that is and means over the years we’ve got people accustomed to winning. The defeat hurts, but we are not looking for excuses, we know that we must improve.”

Inter are also the only team who participated in the Supercoppa Italiana Final Four tournament in Riyadh who won this weekend in Serie A, as Milan, Juventus and Atalanta all played stalemates.

“We picked up 43 points in 18 games, but other teams are keeping up the pace too and there are a lot of games to go,” continued Inzaghi.

Inter President Beppe Marotta said before kick-off that Frattesi had not demanded a transfer in January, despite the Roma and Napoli links.

“I am counting on Davide and he is very much involved in this project,” added Inzaghi.

“He has been working hard and without Mkhitaryan’s injury, he probably would’ve started today. He has given us so much satisfaction, I realise he probably wants more playing time, but we are happy with him and want to continue with him.”

The next match is against Bologna, so how many of the injured players do Inter think they can recover?

“We’ll have to talk to the medical staff. There is a little hope for Calhanoglu and Acerbi, while Mkhitaryan will be evaluated tomorrow. There isn’t much time, Thuram had that problem after the Atalanta semi-final and I preferred not to risk him.

“The positive is we have Benjamin Pavard back, who had not played for a long time.”