Dimarco admits: ‘I’ve lacked confidence on a personal level’ | OneFootball

Inter defender Federico Dimarco has admitted that he has struggled for ‘confidence on a personal level’ recently, but insists that he is getting back to his best, mentally speaking with the help of his coach and teammates.

The Nerazzurri wing-back spoke openly about his recent lack of confidence during his pre-match press conference ahead of Inter’s upcoming Champions League test against Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening.

Dimarco opens up: ‘I didn’t perform as well as I did for the last three years’

BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Federico Di Marco of Inter celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Inter will host Slavia Prague in San Siro on Tuesday evening.

After a slightly rocky start to the season, which brought back-to-back defeats against Juventus and Udinese in Serie A, Inter have now picked up three wins on the bounce, including a 2-0 victory away against Ajax last time out in the Champions League.

“We’re coming in having done well, we’re looking for our fourth consecutive victory. I’m working to regain the confidence I lost over the recent period,” Dimarco said during his pre-match press conference on Monday.

Reporters asked the Italy international to clarify what he meant by his ‘regain the confidence’ remark.

He said: “I lacked a bit of confidence on a personal level. I realised I didn’t perform as well as I did in the last three and a half years with Inter, but that can happen. I’m getting through it with the help of my coach and teammates.”

Reporters asked Dimarco if he felt his confidence had improved during Inter’s recent 2-0 victory over Cagliari.

“I agree, we had a good game in Cagliari, but we can always improve,” he said. “Like against Juventus, for example, we played a good game.”

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Federico Dimarco of Internazionale celebrates with teammate Francesco Pio Esposito after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

And where has been the difference for Dimarco between working under Simone Inzaghi and working under Chivu?

“You can only prepare for matches by playing. Coming out on the 60th minute a lot of the time was difficult to grow. I’m playing more this year, and it shows.

“We’re looking to play vertically a lot more, but we’ve not lost the base that we’ve had for the last few years.”

And when asked about last season’s 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Dimarco said: “We don’t think about the past anymore. We’ve started this season with a good victory and we want to carry on like that.”

What has Dimarco made of Inter’s summer signings?

“The new guys are settling in well. They’re young and strong, and will give us a big hand. They’re good guys and they want to help, even if they didn’t play from the beginning. Inter are at a good level and can improve.”

And previewing the upcoming test against Slavia Prague, Dimarco added: “We can’t underestimate the opponent, because they’re strong, play man-to-man and we have to be good at getting away from their pressure.”