Dimarco: Venezia have ‘quality’ and ‘confidence’, Inter expected ‘difficult season’ | OneFootball

Inter’s Federico Dimarco looked wary of a Venezia side that have ‘quality’ and ‘confidence’ after getting their second Serie A win of the season mid-week against Udinese, as he was one of the players confirmed by coach Simone Inzaghi in the starting XI after their 3-0 away victory at Empoli.

Dimarco is set to make his 150th appearance in a Nerazzurri shirt against Eusebio Di Francesco’s side and after helping his childhood team secure their 20th Scudetto last May he said they expected a ‘difficult season’, as competition has increased.

Dimarco wary of Venezia’s ‘quality’, Inter expected ‘difficult season’

“We know we face a team with great qualities, they won their last game against Udinese at home so they have confidence,” Dimarco told DAZN in a pre-match interview before their San Siro clash against Venezia.

“We need to play our game.”

Atalanta defeated Napoli 3-0 earlier on Sunday, a defeat which could help Inter close in on the Serie A leaders if they don’t lose points against Venezia, before their crucial home meeting with Antonio Conte’s outfit scheduled for next week.

Inter defender Federico Dimarco (R) celebrates with Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez after scoring his team first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Empoli in Milan, on April 1, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images)

“It was a nice start [to the season], with many teams taking the first spot in turn,” the Italy international added.

“We knew this would be a difficult season, many teams were strengthened, us included.

“We need to play our game tonight, then think about the next ones.”

The likes of Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram and Nicolò Barella were all confirmed for the game despite starting during the Nerazzurri’s 3-0 win at Empoli just four days ago – after Inzaghi explained having made his choices in his team’s interest, Dimarco added that Inter’s ‘squad depth’ is an important factor to handle a packed fixture schedule.

“Squad depth helps a lot in terms of rotations,” Dimarco concluded.

“You can’t play every time at the same level, so it’s right to rest in some games.”