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“Barella can play a new role, Inter must improve” after the frustrating 4:4

“Barella can play a new role, Inter must improve” after the frustrating 4:4

“Barella can play a new role, Inter must improve” after the frustrating 4:4

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Simone Inzaghi, head coach of FC Internazionale, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)


Simone Inzaghi explains his changes at Inter against Empoli, including a new role for Nicolò Barella and where they “need to improve” after the 4-4 thriller with Juventus.

It starts at 5.30pm GMT at the Stadio Castellani.

You can follow all the build-up and action from these Juventus-Parma, Atalanta-Monza and Venezia-Udinese games in the live blog.

The Nerazzurri are left frustrated after Sunday night's dramatic Derby d'Italia where they led 4-2 only to be pegged back to 4-4 by rivals Juventus.

With Piotr Zielinski and Kristjan Asllani still not at 100 percent and Hakan Calhanoglu, Carlos Augusto, Francesco Acerbi and Tajon Buchanan missing, they handed over the keys in midfield to Barella today and brought in Davide Frattesi.

“At the moment we have a few problems in midfield because Asllani is not fully fit yet, but he gritted his teeth to be here with us. Zielinski started well against Juventus but then asked to be taken off, which is why I preferred Barella in that role. He has proven that he can do it well,” Inzaghi told DAZN.

Inzaghi does not underestimate Empoli

Inter Milan's Italian midfielder #23 Nicolo Barella (L) vies with Manchester City's Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne (R) during the UEFA Champions League, League Stage football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, North -West England, on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Inter Milan's Italian midfielder #23 Nicolo Barella (L) vies with Manchester City's Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne (R) during the UEFA Champions League, League Stage football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, North -West England, on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

This game is not to be underestimated as Empoli were unbeaten in the first six rounds, losing narrowly to Lazio and Napoli and only conceding one goal at the Stadio Castellani this season.

“Every game is important. We know what our journey looks like, we were on the field 48 hours ago, there wasn't much time and we tried to assert ourselves against an opponent who is having a good season,” Inzaghi added.

Instead of training on the pitch after such an intense game, the coach yesterday focused on video analysis instead.

“We analyzed the game we just had against Juve. We know where we did well and where we need to improve. The entire team needs to be able to handle the ball better. There were a lot of positives in this game, but obviously a lot where we need to improve.”

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