{"id":6828,"date":"2025-01-21T21:42:55","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T21:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/inzaghi-sparta-prague-a-tough-game-for-inter-frattesi-gives-me-hope-football-italia\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T21:42:57","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T21:42:57","slug":"inzaghi-sparta-prague-a-tough-game-for-inter-frattesi-gives-me-hope-football-italia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/inzaghi-sparta-prague-a-tough-game-for-inter-frattesi-gives-me-hope-football-italia\/","title":{"rendered":"Inzaghi: Sparta Prague a ‘tough’ game for Inter, Frattesi gives me hope – Football Italia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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epa11742455 Inter Milan\u2019s head coach Simone Inzaghi catches the game ball during the UEFA Champions League between Inter Milan and RB Leipzig at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 26 November 2024. EPA-EFE\/Daniel Dal Zennaro<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Simone Inzaghi warns Inter will need all their determination to defeat Sparta Prague in a \u2018tough\u2019 game and close in on direct access to the Champions League round-of-18, as they have a chance of retaining a spot in the top eight by securing a win in their league phase\u2019s second-last match.<\/p>\n

The Nerazzurri coach reiterated his side\u2019s will to be \u2018protagonists\u2019 on the European stage while also keeping up their title challenge, admitting he still has \u2018a few doubts\u2019 about the starting XI he will line up on Wednesday, with wantaway Davide Frattesi in contention to get the nod over one of Inter\u2019s stars.<\/p>\n

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epa11820193 Inter\u2019s head coach Simone Inzaghi looks on prior the Italian Serie A soccer match between Venezia FC and Inter Milan in Venice, Italy, 12 January 2025. EPA-EFE\/Alessio Marini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inzaghi wants \u2018determined\u2019 Inter against Sparta Prague and could start Frattesi<\/h2>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a tough match,\u201d Inzaghi told reporters in a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Fcinternews.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still have a few doubts, and I\u2019ll have to decide. There are a couple of doubts and I\u2019ll keep them until tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey haven\u2019t played an official match since December 15, but they\u2019ve done well in friendlies, and playing here on this pitch, where I\u2019ve also played, is never easy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSparta are a physical team that plays vertical football. They defend with five at the back, but their formation can adapt. They\u2019re a strong team; they did well in their first two matches and only lost to top opponents like City and Atletico.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll need a determined Inter; they have Champions League DNA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like people talking about me; they should talk about Inter, who are on a great path. We need to keep doing what we\u2019re doing in both the Champions League and Serie A.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to defend the Scudetto, knowing we have strong opponents. In the Champions League, we aim to be protagonists\u2014it\u2019s in Inter\u2019s DNA, and we must leave nothing to chance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many matches ahead, but as a coach, I love this. I hope everyone can help me until the end. Everyone contributes, both to me and the fans. Some players are out right now, but I hope they return soon because I need everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Inter\u2019s Davide Frattesi (L) and Roma\u2019s Bryan Cristante (R) in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match AS Roma vs FC Inter at Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 20 October 2024. EPA-EFE\/ANGELO CARCONI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Frattesi has been the object of transfer speculations in recent weeks, with rumours suggesting he\u2019s asked to leave the club this January, but Inzaghi insisted he \u2018trained very well\u2019, to the extent he\u2019s considering fielding the former Sassuolo midfielder in the place of Nicol\u00f2 Barella.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe trained very well yesterday and today,\u201d the manager continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgainst Empoli, he wanted to come to the bench with us, but he wasn\u2019t available. Now I\u2019m deciding whether to start him or not.<\/p>\n

\u201cBarella has started seven matches in a row, and I need to choose between the two. Davide has done well, and I\u2019m happy because he\u2019s worked hard over the past few days. He\u2019s calm, enjoys being with the group, and seeing him work as he has recently gives me hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francesco Acerbi\u2019s poor fitness has sparked worries among Inter staff and directors, who may be forced to bring in a defender in the winter transfer window, and the 48-year-old explained his return date has been postponed because \u2018he still can\u2019t push at full intensity\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe club is always with us, monitoring the situation, but I wouldn\u2019t change any player,\u201d Inzaghi claimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcerbi is working well and seemed close to returning last Sunday against Empoli, but he still can\u2019t push at full intensity. We don\u2019t want to rush him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe won\u2019t be available for Lecce either; he needs to continue working on his own. I\u2019m not worried, though. He\u2019s crucial for us, and he\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n