Inzaghi: "We're hungry to get back playing"

APPIANO GENTILE - Inter return to action on Wednesday 4 January at 20:45 CET as they face Napoli at San Siro on matchday 16 in 2022/23 Serie A.

On the eve of the game, Simone Inzaghi held his pre-match press conference. Here's what he had to say:

The win over Napoli Napoli last season was the catalyst in turning around the campaign. "We can't wait to get back started, we're itching to to play. The game here last season was very exciting that got us going. We realise we're up against a really strong side, they are the only team in Europe unbeaten this season, but we're highly motivated and determined."

Looking at the table, is it right to say that this is a must-win match to stay in the race for the title? "It's a very important game where the onus is probably on us, but the beauty of football is testing yourself and playing in these types of games."

How are your forwards? "After a very long time, I finally have four strikers available again, in the year just gone I never had that luxury. Lautaro came back four days ago but has trained well, Correa is better. Dzeko and Lukaku have got more training time with the lads under their belt and my hope is that they can all stay fit an healthy for the run-in ahead. I still need to evaluate things for tomorrow's game, there's a couple of decisions to make that the final two training sessions will help me make."

Are you a little bit concerned about the Skriniar situation? "I'm aware of it. He's a superb lad who gives his all on the field of play. But there are several other players who are coming out of contract as well. The Club is in a healthy state and is always supporting me to work in the best possible way in every situation."

Do you still believe you can win the Scudetto? "Yes, there are still 23 games to play until the end of the season so there are loads of points to play for. Inter, like others, are in the pack to try and close the gap on the team that so far have shown to be the best in Europe. You can only congratulate Napoli on what they have done. The hope to get nearer to them will only come from the pitch; we are a tight-knit group with unbelievable fans and we all want to win every game."

Lukaku's back, what does his presence add to the team? "We all know his qualities, and he's come back really hungry. He is a striker that can give us different options, and ultimately improves us. We have the second best attack in the league; last year, we had the best, so with Romelu we have further options. My wish is that he and Correa can contribute further in improving our conversion rate."

Do you think tomorrow's game will be similar tactically to the one against Barcelona? "Every game is different. We were in a strange period when we met Barcelona, tomorrow will be very important for how we move forward in our league campaign. There will be times when we'll have to be more aggressive, other times less, but it'll be a great game between two top teams who are in different places in the table, but that's down to Napoli having had an unbelievable season so far and they should be commended on that."

What are the positive and negative things after 50 days of not playing? "There are more unknowns than guarantees, such a long break has never ever happened. We've trained very well, the players who have come back from the World Cup are working hard to get back up to the pace of the others, their levels can't be like the others' as they've had a break recently, but I'm happy with those who stayed here and those who have just come back."

Do Napoli have any weak points? "They have a really strong group of players, who are on the top of their game. They have brought in some new players, but we're going into the game very hungry, just as we did last season." The stats do seem to be in Inter's favour at San Siro... "It all depends on how we play the game, we have a lot of respect for Napoli but we are ready and want to give a performance in front of our fans."

Are you aware of the difficulties in chasing the leaders? "I always have the management with me, we realise the moment we're currently going through, but it applies to every other team in Italy. Inter, as well as all the other clubs, will need to do something quiet extraordinary but there's always hope and belief, and that is backed up by what I'm seeing from the team. In the end, it's always what happens on the field of play that decides."

In what condition did you find Lukaku in? "Lukaku and Lautaro were in good shape, as well as the Dutch guys. De Vrij had taken a hit, and Dumfries took it slowly in the first few days but is now ramping things back up. Onana has come back with a lot of motivation. Everyone just wants to get back out and play the game tomorrow, we're excited by that prospect."