Inzaghi: ‘Barella can play new role, Inter must improve’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi explains his Inter changes against Empoli including a new role for Nicolò Barella and where they ‘must improve’ after the 4-4 thriller with Juventus.

It kicks off at the Stadio Castellani at 17.30 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Juventus-Parma, Atalanta-Monza and Venezia-Udinese on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri are feeling frustrated following the dramatic Derby d’Italia on Sunday evening, where they had been leading 4-2 only to be clawed back to 4-4 by rivals Juventus.

As Piotr Zielinski and Kristjan Asllani are still not at 100 per cent, with Hakan Calhanoglu, Carlos Augusto, Francesco Acerbi and Tajon Buchanan out, they have turned over the keys of the midfield to Barella today, bringing in Davide Frattesi.

“At this moment we have a few problems in midfield, because Asllani is not fully fit, but he’s gritting his teeth to be here with us. Zielinski started well against Juventus, then asked to be taken off, so I preferred Barella in that role. He has proved that he can do it well,” Inzaghi told DAZN.

Inzaghi not underestimating Empoli

Inter Milan’s Italian midfielder #23 Nicolo Barella (L) vies with Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne (R) during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

This is not a match to be underestimated, as Empoli were unbeaten for the opening six rounds, only lost narrowly to Lazio and Napoli, while they conceded just one goal at the Stadio Castellani this season.

“Every game is important. We know what our journey is, we were on the field 48 hours ago, there hasn’t been much time and we tried to organise against an opponent that is having a good campaign,” added Inzaghi.

Rather than training on the pitch after such an intense match, the coach instead focused on video analysis yesterday.

“We analysed the match that we just had with Juve, we know where we did well and where we must improve. The whole team has to do better off the ball. There was a lot of positive in that game, but clearly also a great deal where we need to improve.”