Simone Inzaghi talks Yamal, Lautaro, Pavard Lewandowski ahead of Inter vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Heading into the big encounter against Barcelona in the Champions League tomorrow, Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi spoke to the media.

The Italian tactician did not shy away from heaping praise on Lamine Yamal and the Barcelona team while also offering an update on the fitness of Lautaro Martinez.

What Inzaghi said ahead of Barcelona tie

Inzaghi started by praising Lamine Yamal, who made a difference in the first leg with an extraordinary goal.

“We have to try not to let him get the ball, but it’s impossible. Obviously, he’ll be double-marked, he’ll be a player closely watched, so we’ll try to pay attention to him,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

Inzaghi, who has received criticism from Fabio Capello for the way he has handled Serie A, added that Yamal is a special talent.

“In person, he’s a huge talent, he’s truly dangerous; everyone gives him the ball. I was impressed by his quick thinking; he always knows what play to make,” he said.

The Inter Milan coach went on to talk about his own team’s performances heading into the game.

“We know the importance of this match. We’ll need a great performance against a very strong team, whose quality we’ve already experienced firsthand.

Can Simone Inzaghi mastermind an Inter Milan victory tonight? (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“We’ll need an alert and lucid Inter. They’re approaching the match with just the right amount of tension and training well,” he said.

Inter Milan have indeed been on a poor run of form heading into the Barcelona tie, which even saw them lose their grip in the Serie A title race.

Nevertheless, a key talking point heading into this tie has been the fitness of Lautaro Martinez, who picked up an injury in the first leg.

Talking about Lautaro’s fitness, Inzaghi said, “We’ll decide with the coaching staff and the players. They’ll have to tell me how they feel. Lautaro hasn’t trained since the game against Barcelona; we’ll see how he’s doing today.”

“It depends on how he feels. It’s unlikely that a player who can’t start from the start will help us in the final 25 minutes. As for Pavard, his feelings are modest,” he added.

Inzaghi was the coach of Inter Milan when they lost the UEFA Champions League final to Manchester City in 2023.

Talking about that defeat, the Italian said, “We still carry that thought inside. It was a difficult night to digest; we had played a great match. But now we live in the present.”

Meanwhile, Inzaghi also praised Barcelona for the way they have played this season.

“Barça are the most offensive team in the world,” he said. Talking about Jules Kounde and his absence, he added, “He is a very important player.”

As for Robert Lewandowski and his return to the Barcelona setup, Inzaghi said, “Barcelona are strong with or without him.”