Inzaghi is fired up on the eve of Palermo-Reggiana: "I want people to be proud of us."
On the eve of his league debut, Filippo Inzaghi spoke at a press conference, touching on a variety of topics: from the fitness of his players to the growth of the team, and their seasonal ambitions.
The coach gave an initial assessment of his forty days of work: "I've been here for 40 days, and I can't expect everything to be perfect tomorrow, but I'm pleased with the players' attitude and desire in training. We can't be perfect tomorrow, but I think we're much further ahead than I expected. The pitch will tell whether we're right or wrong. I'm calm, happy, and I see the team fired up and strong, and I'm very pleased. I can't wait to get started. I hope the crowd will be proud of us by the 90th minute." Asked about his play from the back, Inzaghi clarified: "I don't think the goalkeeper can score (laughs). We'll try to do the best we can with our characteristics. We can play as a goalkeeper, but without overdoing it. We hope to have improved certain aspects: I saw some interesting things in Cremona. Every match will be a source of growth. Today I told the lads that everyone would like to play in this stadium. Then I said that in the championships I've won, I deserved to lose in the first match against Benevento, and against Pisa I was down 2-0 against Spezia. Dionigi brought a great mentality, it will be a tough match. I think everyone would love to be in my players' shoes."
Inzaghi then spoke about the quality of the attack: "This team has strong players up front. Tomorrow we'll also have Vasic back, who hasn't been feeling well. Only Palumbo—who arrived later—needs to improve his fitness, but when he does, he'll play well. I've always rotated in attack, and everyone has given me great responses." After the Coppa Italia match against Cremonese, the coach emphasized his team's personality:
"I liked the personality we showed in Cremona. Tomorrow will be a classic match where they'll wait for us and try to get back on track. I've been here for 40 days and I couldn't imagine touching too many things: I tried to improve what I thought was necessary. Tomorrow we'll try to play our game; we're lucky to be playing in a Serie A stadium."
Inzaghi also took stock of the summer's transfers: "I think we're fine as we are; the club has done something important in the transfer market. We're covered on the left. We need to forget the past: the players are stronger than they've shown, even better than last year's eighth-place finish. We have players who haven't yet reached their full potential." On the injury front, there's good news: "Peda returned a couple of days ago, he's fine; I feared the worst. Gomes is fine: if it had been the last game of the season, he could have been there, but since we don't want to risk it, he'll be ready for the next match."
Important words also for Ranocchia and Le Douaron: "Ranocchia is a strong player, I always asked him where I went. I told him to take charge of the team and lead it to other categories. Le Douaron? After coaching him for 40 days, I have the same idea: I'd take him anywhere."
Inzaghi reiterated the importance of daily work: "I told the team that we shouldn't worry about anything, because if they train like this, everyone else should be worried. If they replicate in matches what they do in training, the results will come. Daily work can get us there. We want to achieve the dream we all have, but it will take a lot of hard work and dedication."
Finally, a thought for Magnani: "It's a personal issue that has deeply affected us all. We're all with him and we look forward to seeing him again soon."
Katia Virzì
Sicilia News 24
