Zielinski aims dig at ex-Inter coach Inzaghi: ‘I was in third row’ | OneFootball

Inter midfielder Piotr Zielinski aims a dig at ex-Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi: ‘I was in the third row’ and ‘lacked consistency.’

Poland international Zielinski openly complained about his lack of playing time in 2024-25 under Inzaghi.

That was Zielinski’s first season at the Stadio Meazza, and even if he collected 1762 minutes of football, he was rarely a starter under the previous coach.

Zielinski has been playing as a starter more regularly with Cristian Chivu this term and didn’t hold back when asked last night about his time under Inzaghi.

Zielinski: ‘I was in the third row’ under Inzaghi

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 18: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Second row? Let’s say I was in the third row. I was never fielded, not even in the second line,” Zielinski told DAZN via Gazzetta.

“I’ve always been self-confident, and I knew I could show my quality. It was a tough season. Aside from injuries, I lacked consistency. I had great champions ahead of me; we came off a big season, and the coach [Inzaghi] had his regular starters. This season, it’s changed a bit; the coach [Chivu] involves more players, and more feel they can be starters, which is a nice thing. We have many quality players, and you can see that.”

How many games has Zielinski started in 2025-26?

GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, issues Piotr Zielinski of Inter some instructions during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Zielinski has started 11 games across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

He was also a starter last night, when his Inter side secured an away 1-0 win over Atalanta, returning to the top of the table after Milan and Napoli had beaten Verona and Cremonese respectively.

The Nerazzurri have 36 points in Serie A, one more than Milan and two more than Napoli.