Inzaghi: ‘Lazio must be considered in the Scudetto race’ | OneFootball

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledges facing his former club ‘can never be the same as other’ matches, especially now he feels Lazio ‘should be considered’ in the Scudetto race.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.

This is turning into a real title battle with the current form of both teams, as Marco Baroni has revitalised the Aquile in Serie A, the Coppa Italia – where they knocked Napoli out last week – and the Europa League.

“It is going to be a complicated match, as we are up against a team that has won 16 of its 22 competitive games this season, and when they didn’t win, still played really well,” Inzaghi told the official Inter website.

“We must give credit to everyone, the club, coach and players. Baroni is doing great things, the team is organised and they are playing really good football. It is only right that everyone acknowledges how well they are doing.”

Inter suffered their first Champions League defeat midweek by conceding a last-minute goal against Bayer Leverkusen, where squad rotation was perhaps taken too far.

“We know that these international games really sap you of energy, you just need to look at the results this weekend all around the leagues, but that is something Inter, Lazio and all the clubs who participate need to deal with,” added Inzaghi.

Inzaghi sees Lazio-Inter as title battle

ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: SS Lazio players celebrates a victory game after the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on November 24, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Atalanta are top of the table, with Napoli in second place, so Inter and Lazio both need a positive result to keep up with the leading pack.

“At the start of the season, I said it was going to be a very balanced campaign. In my view, it’s only right that we consider Lazio in the Scudetto race. Aside from their current position, I am impressed with their style of play, their organisation, and that puts them among the contenders for the victory.”

Inzaghi spent most of his career at Lazio, first as a striker and then as a coach, where he won the Coppa Italia and two editions of the Supercoppa Italiana.

“Facing Lazio can never be the same as other matches for me. I think this might be the eighth time I’ve faced them, the fourth at the Stadio Olimpico. I do not forget the journey I have had, the trophies I won first as a player and then on the bench.

“I thank all my former teammates and players, I think of President Claudio Lotito, director Igli Tare, all those I worked with. I have been fortunate to be coach of first Lazio and today Inter, a club where I am very happy, feel appreciated and proud of what we are doing.”