(Reuters) – Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi said there were concerns around how the team would perform after the seven-week break for the World Cup as they host Napoli in Serie A on Wednesday.
Napoli set a club record of 11 consecutive league victories in a season before the break and will tie Juventus’s overall record with a win over Inzaghi’s side.
“There are more concerns than certainties, such a long break is something new for everyone,” Inzaghi told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ve worked hard, those who arrived later from the World Cup are catching up, I am satisfied with everyone even if the condition can’t be the same for all.
“We are looking forward to starting again, last season’s fixture was an exciting match that gave us a boost for the following months. We know we’ll face a great team, the only unbeaten one in Europe.”
There was good news for the Italian coach regarding the many injuries the team have had this season.
“We finally have four strikers available, Lautaro (Martinez) arrived four days ago, but he is ok, (Joaquin) Correa is improving, (Edin) Dzeko and (Romelu) Lukaku trained with the team a bit more. We have two training sessions left, and I will make my assessments,” Inzaghi said.
“Lukaku is feeling good, same as Lautaro. Dutch players are doing well (Denzel) Dumfries had a little problem but is returning. (Andre) Onana is quiet and has desire.
“There is enthusiasm, we want to play a great game tomorrow.”
Inter are fifth in the league standings, trailing leaders Napoli by 11 points, but Inzaghi has not given up on the Scudetto just yet.
“… 23 games are remaining, and we want to recover lost ground against one of the best teams in Europe. It all passes from the pitch, we are a united group with extraordinary fans,” he said.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
