Inzaghi: "It will be an exciting match, we will need a big performance"

It's the eve of Inter vs. Barcelona: on Tuesday at 21:00 CEST at San Siro, the Champions League semi-final second leg will take place. The first leg ended 3-3 and it was a spectacular match in which the Nerazzurri went 2-0 up and then 3-2, thanks to goals from Thuram and Dumfries. The tension before the match is sky-high: whoever wins is going to the final, scheduled for May 31 in Munich, Bavaria to face either Arsenal or PSG.

Simone Inzaghi and Alessandro Bastoni will answer the press' questions at the press conference before the match at the BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile.

How confident are you of achieving this dream? "We all know the importance of the match. We must put on a big display against a very good team. We showed our strength. We will need to be determined and ready".

Tomorrow, how important will the desire to play Lautaro? What did you lack last game? "We will decide on him tomorrow. Pavard also took part in the first part of the training session yesterday and we will see how Lautaro is today. The first leg was brilliant, we could've done better at some points though. They are really good when it comes to counter-pressing and we stayed alert and we will need to do the same tomorrow, it will be a final in front of our fans". Do you expect to face the same Barcelona side or will they have a different approach? "They usually have an average of 80% possession, we know their qualities well and we know they take some risks in defence. They have a great coach and have already won two trophies, we will need a big display". How much does the final in Istanbul, driving you to achieve something great? "We have that thought inside, it was difficult managing this because we played well. You have to live in the present though, it's part of the journey that we've been part of over these years. Now, we want to continue and we are two matches away from this, despite the difficulties". Is there something that gives you confidence for tomorrow? "The way we have trained yesterday, for example, given that we played the first leg and then against Hellas Verona. The team have given everything and they're always ready, I can't fault the players". Do you feel a sense of history? You could become the second Coach to take Inter to the final. "They are exciting matches, we work for this and the satisfaction is the reward for the hard work. We know that it wasn't given because at the start of the season every team is trying to win everything and we are also doing that, without having made choices, but it's only with hard work that we will be able to bring satisfaction to our fans".

Is Lautaro well enough to start or will he substitute on later? "It will depend on how he is feeling, it's difficult for a player when they can't start and then come on in the final twenty minutes. Unfortunately, we've always had some problems like against Barcelona and Bayern. Tomorrow, we will see. I'll make my decisions in the best of our interests".

Yesterday was a great day for your family, as Pisa were promoted to Serie A, coached by your brother. How do you feel? "I congratulated him straight after, I'll also do it publicly. They've done something brilliant, Pisa deserve it. They've had a brilliant season. I saw that they have great chemistry in our friendly. It's not a promotion by chance, but lots of hard work".

Barcelona have Lewandowski back: what changes for you? "We know him, he's one of the best strikers in the world. Ferran Torres started in the first leg and played well, they're all strong players. We will all observe them". Barcelona will be without Kounde. What do you make of this? "He's a very important player, but Eric Garcia did well against us when he came on. They have a lot of options at their disposal". Will you try something different to handle Yamal? "It's difficult to handle him, we will try to limit the ball getting to him but it is impossible. He will be doubled, but we know he is very dangerous. He thinks so quickly, it's unbelievable".

How are you thinking about defending the left flank? "We'll see tomorrow. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto have also played together, it's fair for us to concentrate on Yamal, but Barcelona have lots of quality players".

Will we see a different Inter side tomorrow? "We will decide on making some tactical changes but our way of working remains the same. We did well in the first leg and we definitely could've done better at times".