MILAN (AP) — Winning the Champions League looms as the only way for Simone Inzaghi to add credit to continue as Inter Milan coach.
The Nerazzurri have had triumphant moments this season, such as winning the Italian Super Cup and also reaching the Coppa Italia semi-finals. They could even break into the Champions League’s top four when they host Benfica at the San Siro on Wednesday in the second leg of the quarterfinals, leading 2-0 after winning the first leg.
But the team is floundering in Serie A, leaving Inzaghi with the noose around his neck.
Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Monza was Inter’s 11th defeat in 30 games, leaving the team in fifth position, two points behind fourth-place AC Milan.
“It doesn’t seem strange to me,” Inzaghi said Tuesday about his situation. “I am used to it. It is better for me to be criticized than for my players to be. This criticism motivates us to work harder.”
“We haven’t been good enough in the league. We have not met expectations. We’ve had our problems like any other team, but there’s still time. Now we must focus on giving our fans a great night by seeing us overcome the quarterfinals. It would be a great milestone.”
Inter have only won one of their last eight meetings in all competitions, and that victory was the one they earned against Benfica last week.
“We know what we have achieved in the cups, and that the position we occupy in the table is not the desired one, but now our only focus is Benfica.” Inzaghi said. “We are aware that we have an advantage, but we must give our best against a team that has not achieved good results recently, but is really dangerous.”
If Inter eliminate Benfica they will face their classic rival AC Milan in the semifinals.
Benfica is also going through a difficult moment. The two-time European champion has suffered three consecutive defeats, which hasn’t happened since the 2018-19 season.
The losing streak has taken its toll on what could have been a great season for the Portuguese team, which only lost once in all competitions beginning in April. Their first defeat in this negative streak was at home, in the domestic league against their historical rival, Porto, followed by the loss against Inter, and on Saturday they succumbed at home, 1-0, against Chaves, shortening to four points his lead in the league.
For Wednesday’s match in Italy, Roger Schmidt – Benfica’s technical director – will have Argentine central defender Nicolás Otamendi available, who served a suspension in the first leg.
