Inzaghi: ‘This is football, Pavard another stroke of bad Inter luck’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi shrugs ‘this is football’ after a third consecutive Inter defeat, falling 1-0 to Roma, and gives an injury update on Benjamin Pavard. ‘This was another stroke of bad luck we did not need.’

The Nerazzurri have slipped into a crisis in the worst possible time, as in the space of eight days they have crashed out of the Coppa Italia semi-final to Milan and lost two consecutive Serie A matches, meaning Napoli could go three points clear if they beat Torino this evening.

The most devastating statistic of all is that in those three defeats, Inter failed to score a single goal, a negative streak not achieved since February 2012 when ironically the coach was Claudio Ranieri.

“This is football. These are three defeats that hurt, but the team gave it everything,” Inzaghi told DAZN.

“There was not a lot of sharpness, especially in the first half today, but they tried to make up for it with heart.”

Inter fans stand with Inzaghi and players

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Marko Arnautovic of FC Internazionale looks dejected after the team’s 1-0 defeat following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

At the final whistle, the Inter ultras called the players over to the Curva Nord and tried to fire them up for the tests ahead, including the Champions League semi-final.

“A home defeat was big for us, so the fact that the fans cheered us on and supported us means a lot. My players always give their heart and soul, I will always be grateful to them for that,” continued Inzaghi.

“Naturally, we are not used to three consecutive defeats. It’s been a tough week, between throw-ins, penalties and absences.

“We can’t talk about this now, we saw Barcelona last night and already knew how strong they are, but we go there with respect and no fear.”

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Some changes were forced, as Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were suspended, with Marcus Thuram injured.

To make matters worse, Benjamin Pavard limped off in the opening minutes with an ankle injury, but Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski made their comebacks from long lay-offs.

“Pavard had a sprain to the left ankle and we’ll see over the next few days. He landed awkwardly and it turned, this was another stroke of bad luck we did not need,” explained Inzaghi.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale controls the ball whilst under pressure from Matias Soule and Zeki Celik of AS Roma during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It is the worst way for Inzaghi’s men to prepare for the Champions League semi-final, where Inter travel to Barcelona on Wednesday evening for the first leg.

Last night, the Blaugrana were forced into extra time for a 3-2 Copa del Rey Final victory over Real Madrid, but it is the Nerazzurri who look fatigued.

“We needed to be better as a team, we pressed as individuals rather than as a unit. The goal was a lucky ricochet that fell into Soule’s path,” added Inzaghi.

“Roma did well, we deserved something more and created many situations that we just failed to convert, largely because we lacked sharpness.

“Now we have to get it back, because there are still big games in Serie A and the Champions League. Maybe a positive result would’ve given us more energy, but we need to find that within ourselves.

“The fans have understood what these lads are doing this season. It is now time to recharge the batteries, both mental and physical, analyse where we could’ve done better.”