Inter coach Simone Inzaghi admits ‘the 5-0 result does not reflect the way the game went’ against unlucky Frosinone, but he received a ‘good response’ from his squad.
The Nerazzurri felt the need to send a message following their shock 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo, only the second loss of the entire season in Serie A.
That was affected by the hangover from their Scudetto open-top bus parade and it was shaken off with tonight’s 5-0 demolition of Frosinone at the Stadio Stirpe.
“The lads did really well, although we ran a few risks out of possession, for example when Walid Cheddira hit the post,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“It was a good performance, but the 5-0 result really does not reflect the way the game went.”
Davide Frattesi scored one and assisted another for Marko Arnautovic, Tajon Buchanan scored the first ever Canadian goal in Serie A, Lautaro Martinez ended his recent drought and Marcus Thuram dinked in the fifth on the counter-attack.
However, Frosinone hit the woodwork, forced several big saves from Yann Sommer and were denied by two goal-line clearances.
Inzaghi admires Inter players
“We usually have Henrikh Mkhitaryan who works as a sort of double midfielder, while tonight we had Frattesi to run into space. Barella is someone who when given time to think, open up and occupy the spaces can be remarkable.
“I saw a good response from everyone tonight, not that I needed that, because Arnautovic and Buchanan work so hard in training during the week and it’s my fault they haven’t had the space they deserved this season,” continued Inzaghi.
“I am also happy for Stefano Sensi, who got an assist, as he worked all season trying to get a little bit of space.”
Buchanan arrived in January when Juan Cuadrado sustained a serious injury and this evening scored his first goal for the club.
“We have several alternatives on the wings and Carlos Augusto can also play on the left side of a three-man defence when Alessandro Bastoni needs rest.”
Lautaro Martinez consolidated his Capocannoniere status with the 23rd Serie A goal of the season, but had not found the net since March 4 in all competition. Had Inzaghi discussed this drought?
“We talked about it, but he is our captain and we must not forget his goal at the 91st minute allowed us to win the Supercoppa Italiana this season, as well as being top scorer on the way to the Scudetto.”
This win means Inter are still on track to reach 97 points this season, equalling the club record set by Roberto Mancini in 2006-07.
Meanwhile, it also took Inter to 4,600 all-time Serie A points, only the second club to reach this tally after Juventus.
Inzaghi had jumped when asked to by the Inter fans at San Siro last week, but there was a rather unusual reason he couldn’t do the same today.
“I felt a twinge in my calf during yesterday’s training session… There is a great rapport with the fans and the club, we dedicate all of this to our wonderful supporters who are always with us.”