Simone Inzaghi Admits The New Champions League Format Makes It Difficult For Her To Set Strategies

JAKARTA - Inter Milan will host Red Star Belgrade in the second match of the 2024/2025 Champions League at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, early morning WIB.

I Nerazzurri is struggling to strategy a tight schedule. Manager Simone Inzaghi admits she has not found how to maintain consistency in performance between Serie A and other tournaments that have been participating this season.

The new format of the Champions League was also appointed as the culprit. Last season, it had an easy start to the season. They have won five of six matches and are at the top of Serie A.

Then, Inzaghi was also able to arrange a strategy because the opponents of the Champions League group phase had been read from the start.

It's different with this season. The Nerazzurri are fourth in Serie A with seven points from two wins, one draw, and three defeats.

The problem is, this season's Champions League format brings together Inter Milan with eight different teams in the preliminary phase.

They only packed one point in the first match after playing a 0-0 draw at Manchester City.

"It's hard to win (the title) and even harder to win again. However, as far as the players are concerned, they are working with a big commitment," said Inzaghi.

"Then, of course, we still haven't found continuity like last year. That continuity makes the difference for you both in the league and in the Champions League," said the coach again.

Finding continuity will become more important in the Champions League this season in a new format.

"Last year after the first two games, you can take stock and understand how the next game will be."

"The thing is, at that time you knew that in the third and fourth matches you would face the same opponent, home and away."

"Now, things are getting a little bit like against everyone. This is a winning formula with two extra games, with more difficulty. You can't make a tally because it's kind of a one-time game," said Inzaghi.

Given that the opponents faced were different, the rotation of players could not be carried out as smoothly as last season's Champions League.

Inzaghi is still not sure whether the rotation can give a positive result or not considering that Inter really need three points.

Just look at him when he is confused about determining the starter on the front lines against the Red Star Belgrade.

Then, Piotr Zielinski, who has never started a league game this season, Inzaghi has confirmed that he will be included in the line-up.

However, rotating some of the core players could backfire because The Star will appear desperately after losing their first game.

"I still have to decide between Lautaro (Martinez), (Marcus) Thuram, (Marko) Arnautovic, and (Mehdi) Taremi." he said.

"Maybe there will be a good chance to play the four. I don't know who will start, I have to evaluate today's training."

"Red Star started the league on July 20, 2024. They have played nine league games. They have played in the Champions League playoffs."

"This is a very trained team, with great players," said Inzaghi.