The anger from the previous day hasn’t faded, and that’s a positive sign for Inter Milan, indicating a strong desire for redemption. The team aims to correct the mistakes that led to a disappointing result, as they had grown accustomed to a much smoother performance. Coach Simone Inzaghi has not hidden his frustration, both in public and behind closed doors, and fans can expect to see changes in the lineup against Lecce. Inzaghi is focused on physical condition and, importantly, on managing the details that went wrong in Genova.
First and foremost, Inzaghi has a week filled with training and decisions ahead of him. Some key players like Bastoni and Dimarco have not been performing at their best, potentially more so than anticipated. In contrast, Carlos Augusto has stood out during the preseason, and he may take one of the starting spots from either of the two struggling defenders. This poses a philosophical question for Inzaghi: should he prioritize the players who are currently performing well, or did he want to give minutes to those who need to improve their fitness?
On the right side, there’s another consideration as Darmian may be replaced by Dumfries. While Dumfries needs to enhance his performance, he offers more offensive weight to the team. Additionally, after a week of training, Pavard may reclaim his spot from Bisseck, who was involved in the handball that cost Inter the equalizer.
Inzaghi also needs to address some warning signs raised by the game in Genova. “We scored four goals, but only two went into the right net,” was a popular joke among players after the match. There was a lack of attentiveness and focus at certain moments, emphasizing the importance of the details Inzaghi has discussed. It wasn’t just a problem of physical fitness; it was a collective issue that the coaching staff will work on throughout the week.
Another point of concern involves Lautaro Martínez. Similar to the situation with his fellow national players, Inzaghi must decide whether to start Taremi or allow Lautaro some minutes. It’s hard to imagine Lautaro sitting on the bench for his season debut at San Siro. However, if Taremi hadn’t picked up an injury in late July, Lautaro would likely have been a substitute. Currently, Lautaro is not in peak condition, which is understandable. Inzaghi and his coaching staff have crafted a plan to have Lautaro in top form in ten days, aiming for him to be ready for the crucial match against Atalanta on August 30. The game against Lecce will likely see him play fewer minutes than he did in Genova.
Finally, there’s the overall athletic condition of the entire squad to consider. Inter’s playing style relies heavily on collective efforts rather than individual brilliance, a strategy that worked well last season. Many players, including Calhanoglu, are still not at their best. Inter has adjusted its training regimen for this season, but now they are entering a new phase where training loads will decrease, with the hope that the players will respond better. The fatigue shown in the latter stages of the Genova match was itself a product of overall tiredness. This period is seen as a crucial threshold for Inter, as Inzaghi aims to shift gears in every sense.
The equalizer against Genova was unsettling for him, and he demands an immediate turnaround. While Bastoni depicted the situation without drama, understanding what went wrong is essential. Inzaghi has begun this evaluative process and plans to discuss it further with the team today.