"One bad week doesn't erase four years of work"

Passionately defending his currently goalless and struggling team: Inter's successful coach Simone Inzaghi. IMAGO/Sportimage

Even before the Inter team landed at the airport in the Catalan metropolis, there was high praise from Barcelona – namely from Hansi Flick. The coach of the upcoming opponent in the Champions League semifinal – the first leg kicks off on Wednesday at 9 p.m. (LIVE! on kicker) – praised Simone Inzaghi's team at the official press conference as a team "with one of the best defenses in Europe."

But that's not all. Flick continued: "They have a great midfield and their two strikers ( Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram ; editor's note ) are also very good."

All of these points are certainly absolutely valid, at their core. If, yes, if it weren't for the Nerazzurri's current dry spell. A sporting slump that has definitely come at an inopportune time.

While FC Internazionale had been on course for a treble after the CL quarter-final second leg against FC Bayern Munich ( 2-2 after 2-1 in the first match ), the reigning Serie A champions suddenly found themselves in trouble.

It all started with a 0-1 defeat against FC Bologna in the domestic league, before a week ago, in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against arch-rivals Milan, a goalless draw in the first match was followed by a resounding 0-3 defeat . Three goals conceded in one game? In the entire Champions League season, Milan had conceded only four goals – three from Bayern, one from Leverkusen .

But that's not all: After being knocked out of the Italian Cup , another 0-1 defeat followed this Sunday in the top match against the rebellious AS Roma - and Inter lost the top position they had held for a long time to championship contender Napoli .

A defense line that Flick calls "the best in Europe" is suddenly no longer functioning as it should, just as Lautaro's own attack hasn't scored a single goal in three consecutive games. Coach Inzaghi must now address these major problems to avoid letting a third title opportunity slip through his hands.

The coach, who has been employed at the traditional Lombardy club since 2021 and has already been described as the "maestro of modern football" by the Italian sports newspaper Il Messaggero , does so with a relaxed manner. In his opinion, Inzaghi said at his own matchday press conference early Tuesday evening, "one bad week does not erase the work of four years together."

I will never speak badly about my boys."

The Inter coach continued: "The boys have done brilliantly so far." The coach was referring to last year's league title, the two cup wins (2022, 2023), and the narrow defeat in the 2023 Champions League final ( 0-1 against Manchester City ). And also to the outstanding season until a week ago, with the team's performances at three weddings. That's why, Inzaghi continued, "you'll never hear me speak negatively about my boys or this club. It's thanks to them that we've been able to perform so well over the last four years and exceed all expectations."

Nor does he consider the current results crisis, at the worst possible time of the season, to be the most difficult phase of his coaching career: "It's not the most difficult moment, when you're facing the Champions League semifinals. Rather, enthusiasm prevails. Sure, we're coming off a bad week and have to be very good tomorrow to overcome the hurdle." But his team does have quality that they now need to rediscover.