Interhead coach Simone Inzaghi admitted that his team feels the tension of a demanding season after their 3-0 defeat against AC Milan in the semi-final of Coppa Italia on Wednesday.
With the Serie A and Champions League titles still on the line, Inzaghi is worried after a second consecutive defeat after Sunday's 1-0 League loss against Bologna, but urged his players to overcome the setbacks.
“Naturally [I’m worried]. We are not used to losing two in a row, “Inzaghi told sports media set.
“We have to analyze both defeats in the right way. We didn't deserve to lose in Bologna and tonight we had no energy in the second half.
“We have to continue. There is both physical and mental fatigue. We must be stronger than all that.”
With the draw on 1-1 of the first stage, Luka Jovic scored twice for Milan and Tijjani Reijners yielded a late third to see that they were eliminated by their great rivals.
“This trip has brought us a lot of joy, but also some disappointments, like tonight,” said Inzaghi.
“We should have done better. We missed sharpness in both boxes at important moments of the game.”
2-#Acmilan plays two finals in one season (Italian Super Cup and Coppa Italia) for the first time since 2007-08 (European Super Cup V Sevilla and Club World Cup V Boca Juniors, both won under Carlo Ancelotti). Stage.#Derbymilano pic.twitter.com/wp2qfoqns6
– OPTAPAOLO (@OPTAPAOLO) April 23, 2025
The Italian manager insisted that a full schedule is not an excuse, while his team has to regain confidence for the last part of the season and for Sunday to organize Roma.
“We have had a more full schedule than others, but again, it's not an excuse,” said Inzaghi. “If we have the [Coppa] Finally this means that we have not done enough.
“There is another month left and we have to continue with confidence. Tonight Milan earned it, and it's a good thing that they go to the final.
“We will try to bounce back and give everything against Roma on Sunday.”
Milan's victory means that they will play two finals in one season, for the first time since 2007-08 in the Supercoppa Italiana final.
It also marks only the third time ever Milan has lost three derby's against Inter in one season, after having done this earlier in 1971-72 and 2004-05.