epa11933090 Inter’s head coach Simone Inzaghi reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs Inter FC at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 01 March 2025. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO
Simone Inzaghi confirms Inter had to plug gaps due to injuries in the 1-1 draw with Napoli, explaining away another late equaliser with the packed fixture list. ‘We gave everything we had.’
The Nerazzurri were relishing the possibility of going four points clear at the top of the table, and further extending their advantage over third-placed Atalanta too, as Federico Dimarco curled a wonderful free kick into the top corner.
However, after a second half pinned back by Napoli attacks, they eventually capitulated to Philip Billing from close range following an initial Josep Martinez save.
“It was a difficult match, the first half was balanced, while we had some problems after the break and Napoli pushed us back, but we must remember there is a sharp opponent who clearly has fresher legs than us,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“Nonetheless, we should’ve done better on the goal incident. We lost Dimarco to a muscular problem and had to move Dumfries onto the left flank, my lads gave everything they had, considering we played a Coppa Italia quarter-final on Tuesday evening.
“We keep going, it is a very balanced campaign with strong teams up there, Napoli, Atalanta, Juventus and Lazio are all having great seasons.”
Inzaghi explains Inter problems
Inter have shown a marked tendency to drop advantages, specifically conceding 10 goals in the final 15 minutes this season. Is it just a physical matter due to the overloaded fixture list?
“In the head-to-head clashes, we need to be perfect, and we haven’t been. We should not have allowed Lobotka to get into the box, but naturally when you play over 40 games a season, the final 15 minutes are going to be tougher,” noted Inzaghi.
Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Napoli 1-1 Inter
When Dimarco went off injured, with natural replacements Carlos Augusto and Matteo Darmian already out of action, Inter had to reshuffle with some evident confusion on the pitch.
“The lads tried to help each other, Napoli stepped up a gear in the second half, we’ve seen them do that recently too. I had initially decided to go 4-4-2, but they had Politano and Spinazzola wide, so I wanted to keep those flanks protected, putting Dumfries as left wing-back and Pavard on the right.
“Dumfries originally was going to stay on the right for a 4-4-2, but we saw Napoli keeping that width and preferred to continue with the 3-5-2, moving Dumfries across,” confirmed Inzaghi.
This draw, and the fact Atalanta were held 0-0 by Venezia earlier this evening, means that the Scudetto race remains effectively untouched with the advantage at just one point.
Of the three, Inter are the only side still in the Champions, as well as the Coppa Italia semi-final against Milan.
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