Simone Inzaghi Hits Out On Lautaro Blasphemy Allegations ‘Always More Talk When Inter Involved’ Adds ‘Not Certain Thuram Starts’ Vs Napoli’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi feels that Inter Milan must be “perfect” against Napoli tomorrow, and that it’s not certain Marcus Thuram will start.

The Nerazzurri coach spoke in a press conference ahead of the match, as reported by FCInterNews. He also hit out at the ongoing controversy around blasphemy allegations against Lautaro Martinez.

Inter Milan take on Napoli tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow’s match has the feel of a potential title-decider. It pits the teams first and second in the Serie A table.

Inter sit a point ahead of Napoli at the start of the match after last weekend’s results.

And tomorrow’s match comes right as the Nerazzurri’s season is really starting to heat up.

Next month, Inter will also face Feyenoord in the Champions League round of sixteen.

Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri have just had a tough month of February. They have dropped points against the likes of AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Juventus.

And there has also been the unwelcome dark cloud of allegations of blasphemous language by Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez in an outburst after the loss to the Bianconeri.

Inzaghi Hits Out At Lautaro Martinez Blasphemy Allegations

For his part, Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is not very interested in the allegations against his captain Lautaro Martinez.

“I talked about it two press conferences ago,” the coach hit out.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty-spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Monaco at Stadio San Siro on January 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“When Inter are involved, there’s more talk about it,” he said.

“That’s why I was angry about it. I felt the need to defend my players and the club. I didn’t like the way that we were being described from outside.”

“We all know Lauti,” Inzaghi said of his captain. “He’s one of those players who doesn’t say bad words.”

“Sometimes it can happen. Even including me. But I’ve never heard that from Lautaro.”

“We should move on from it,” Inzaghi said of the blasphemy furor.

“He’s looked focused in training.”

Inzaghi ‘Not Certain’ Marcus Thuram Will Start In Napoli Vs Inter Milan

Meanwhile, Inzaghi was cagey about whether striker Marcus Thuram will start tomorrow for Inter against Napoli. The Frenchman has been unavailable for Inter’s last two matches.

“Thuram has done well in training,” said the Inter coach.

GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Marcus Thuram of Inter greets the crowd after the Serie A match between Genoa and Inter at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 17, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

“He’s given us reassurance. We’ll see tomorrow.”

“We’ll have to try and understand whether he can play from the start,” Inzaghi added. “It’s not certain.”

“We have four players unavailable,” the Inter coach then said. “Sommer, Darmian, Zalewski, and Carlos Augusto.”

“The problem for us is that the injuries all happen to be concentrated in a single position.”

“So there could be a change of system,” the Nerazzurri coach hinted. ‘

“We already did so during the match on Tuesday.”

Inter coach Inzaghi could however utilize Thuram off the bench against Napoli.

Inzaghi: Inter Milan “Have To Be Perfect Vs Napoli”

Of the importance of tomorrow’s match, Inzaghi said that “If the two teams at the top of the table, we have to congratulate both on how they’re doing.”

The Inter coach anticipated that “It will be an important match, but not decisive.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Because there are still 36 points left to play for.”

“We’ll need an excellent Inter performance,” he added. “Because we’re facing an opponent of the highest quality.”

“We know that we’ve not been doing well in the big matches,” Inzaghi admitted. “Not the way we have in previous seasons.”

“We’ll have to be perfect to take the result home,” he insisted. “And until now, we haven’t been.”

Inzaghi noted that “On Tuesday we played in the Coppa Italia.”

“Lazio forced us to expend our energy,” he added.

“We trained well on the things we need to improve. We had a good match against Juve but it wasn’t enough, so we need to do more.”

Inzaghi “Proud Of This Group”

Meanwhile, the Inter coach noted that “I already said on Tuesday, I’m proud of this group because they always put their heart into it and they want to go all the way in everything they do.”

“We’re among the few teams in Europe in the running on all fronts. That’s a source of pride.”

“But matches require energy,” Inzaghi noted. “We have to try and think one match at a time.”

“The only thing that worries me are the players we have unavailable,” the Nerazzurri coach then said. “Who happen to all be concentrated in one area of the pitch.”

“We’ll have to adapt, as we did on Tuesday.”

“We’re not sure about who we’re going to have back. I think the first one to come back could be Carlos Augusto.”

Subsequently, of the Brazilian’s fitness, Inzaghi noted that “He had a bit of an injury after a knee from Kolo Muani.”

“His leg is still swollen after fourteen days,” he said of Carlos Augusto.

Meanwhile, Inzaghi said of his team’s intense schedule, in contrast to Napoli who do not have cup competitions, that “We’re Inter and we have very clear objectives.”

“I said on July 13th that we want to play as many matches as possible.”

“We know that can have one more in the Coppa Italia,” the coach said. “And then more in the Champions League.”

“We just think from match to match. Our aim is to add trophies to our cabinet.”

“We’ll try to do our best,” continued Inzaghi. “Knowing that we started along this path three and a half years ago.”

“Another trophy for us is that we’ve helped the club in terms of the budget,” the Inter coach said. “I’m happy about that.”

Inzaghi: “Juventus In The Title Race”

Meanwhile, Inzaghi was asked if he thinks Juventus are in the Serie A title race. “Yes,” replied the Inter coach.

“I said it in mid-January, before the match against Milan. There’s not much gap in the table.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Then, Inzaghi also hinted at possible solutions at wingback with a number of injuries in the positions. “Today I tried Correa and Frattesi as wingbacks,” he said.

“Because this is a moment of need for us.”

“Then, one of Pavard or Bisseck could also play that role. Or we could change the system.”

As far as tomorrow’s opponents, Inzaghi noted that “Napoli have changed their formation.”

“They’re a team made up of great players, with a top coach,” he added.

Inzaghi said that Napoli “are organized, they know what to do on the pitch very well.”

“We’re ready for them,” the Nerazzurri coach then said. “We’ve studied them”

“Tomorrow will be a brilliant match between two teams at the top of the table deservedly.”

And lastly, Inzaghi gave his thoughts on Josep Martinez. The Spaniard has filled in for Yann Sommer for a couple matches already, and will also start tomorrow.

“I already said on Tuesday that he’s having a great run,” Inzaghi praised Martinez.

“We had no doubts about him. He’s done very well in training in recent months.”

“Sommer is also having a great season. He came here with a great desire.”

But as far as Martinez goes, Inzaghi said that “Against Udinese in December, and in training.”

In conclusion Inzaghi added: “he’s proven that he’s a keeper worthy of Inter.”