Inter’s upcoming trip to Viktoria Plzen is something that Simone Inzaghi is aware of as he strives for 10 points to have a chance of advancing from a challenging Champions League group.
having been paired with two European powerhouses, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Inter knows their chances depend on getting the most points possible against the Czech champion.
Inter lost to Bayern in a humiliating 2-0 defeat on matchday one, but under Roberto Mancini, they only lost their first two games of one previous Champions League campaign.
On Tuesday, Inzaghi emphasized the importance of moving past that setback by describing Group C as the toughest in the competition.
Inzaghi told reporters on Monday:
“Undoubtedly, it is an important match; we know we have ended up in the most difficult group of the whole Champions League, but we want to play it.
“The first game was not the best; we tried, but Bayern were better than us.
“Now we know that this game could put us in danger.
“But we want to face it in the best way.”
Asked whether Tuesday’s match would be decisive, Inzaghi added:
“Since there are still four [games] missing, probably not.
“But we know its importance, and we know that nine times out of 10.
“You have to score 10 points to pass a group.
“Last year, we were good at getting them.
“This year, we know that the group is more competitive.
“But tomorrow, we want to score the first points because we want to change the standings.”
The only times Inter faced Czech opposition in the Champions League was in the 2019–20 season.
When they defeated Slavia Prague in two games and earned four points, but they were unable to advance from their group.
Inzaghi made the decision to start Andre Onana against Bayern before bringing back Samir Handanovic for Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Torino.
Since the 2003–2004 season, Onana has made the most saves of any Inter goalkeeper in the Champions League (10 saves against the Bundesliga’s heavyweights), but Inzaghi refused to confirm his participation.
He said:
“As for the goalkeeper, I have decided, but now I don’t want to say it.
“The players don’t know it yet because we only had one training session.
“This morning, we could work on the video, a little on the pitch. It’s right that they know [first].”
Whoever starts in goal will hope to be shielded by star center-back Milan Skriniar, who stayed at Inter despite rumors of interest from Paris Saint-Germain during the transfer window.
Giuseppe Marotta, the chief executive of Inter, previously stated his desire to re-sign Skriniar, but when the 27-year-old made an appearance on Monday with Inzaghi, he declined to discuss it.
He said:
“I’ve never talked [about it], and I prefer to stay like this.
“We came here to play this game, and I don’t want to discuss my future and my contract.
“I don’t think it’s the right time and place.
“When there will be news, you will know from no one else and me.
“I have never spoken and prefer it to remain so.”
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