Inzaghi: ‘Inter clearly deserved victory, no Juventus warning signs’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi insists Inter ‘clearly deserved to win’ their 4-4 thriller with Juventus and should’ve scored ‘seven or eight,’ but he had ‘no warning signs’ of the shock comeback.

The Nerazzurri had started to look almost comfortable in this dramatic Derby d’Italia when leading 4-2 until the 70th minute, also wasting numerous opportunities to add a fifth, forcing several Michele Di Gregorio saves.

However, that domination was their downfall, because substitute Kenan Yildiz came on and twice struck on the counter-attack as he ran at Denzel Dumfries.

“There is disappointment, but as a coach I have to analyse the four goals that we conceded. We were up against a strong team like Juventus, but cannot concede four goals,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.

“I also have to build on the positives. Juve were a team that conceded only one match from the spot in eight Serie A matches and today should’ve conceded seven or eight. Unfortunately, we had four or five chances to add the fifth, this is an experienced team, we know that those chances cannot be wasted.

“Then Yildiz scored without warning, it started from a throw-in near my bench, Cambiaso did well and Yildiz ran half the length of the pitch winning two challenges. We lost our shape a bit, then on the fourth goal we made a series of mistakes. These compromised a match we clearly deserved to win.

“There is bitterness, but as a coach I must analyse and talk to them tomorrow, as the players looked sad in the dressing room. It’s frustrating, as we were facing a Juventus side whose greatest strength is defence and we created so many scoring opportunities without winning.”

Inzaghi bemused by Inter defensive problems

epa11687700 Inter Milan�s Denzel Dumfries (C) scores the 4-2 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between FC Inter and Juventus FC, in Milan, Italy, 27 October 2024. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI

Check the Player Ratings from an incredible Derby d’Italia.

Inter had the best defence in Serie A last season and are yet to concede in three Champions League games, but have been leaking goals in Serie A recently. Inzaghi was asked what had changed in their greatest strength.

“It’s a period where we have to work more and better. We kept two clean sheets in a row, but I am well aware we must do more. The shots on target are very similar to last season, but we are conceding far more goals.

“Juve had four shots on target and scored four, so when it’s a 100 per cent record, that means we are doing something wrong to contribute to this.”

It is not the first time Inter have been in a leading situation and looked comfortable only to concede in the final stages and look shaky. Inzaghi was pushed on whether this a matter of concentration.

“We have been conceding goals that are frankly unacceptable. We probably would’ve won this by quite a bit last season. It’s a draw, not a defeat, but admittedly it feels a bit like that. I thought we played very well with the ball against a strong side like Juventus, but when you waste that many chances to score the fifth, you leave yourself open to a distraction,” added Inzaghi.

“It is right that the team feels disappointed and angry, but we must also look at the positives, creating nine or 10 clear scoring opportunities against a side that had conceded only once in Serie A this season.”

Perhaps the biggest winners this evening, as well as the sheer entertainment value for the neutral, was Napoli who now go four points clear at the top of the table.

“Neutrals enjoyed themselves tonight, I enjoyed myself a bit less…” shrugged Inzaghi.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve never been part of a game like that. There seemed to be no warning of a Juve comeback, maybe I could’ve done more, but I have limited squad rotation options at the moment.”