Inzaghi says Inter face tough challenge to repeat last season’s Champions League achievements

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi said it would be difficult to repeat their performance in last year’s Champions League final as they prepare for their first game of the competition this season at Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

Rodri scored a second-half goal as Inter lost 1-0 to Manchester City in Istanbul in the final of Europe’s elite club competition last season.

“(Last season’s run to the final) was a great journey; it will start again this year against a stronger team,” Inzaghi told reporters on Tuesday.

“We will play it like last year, knowing it will be difficult to repeat what we did, but we want to try again.”

Inzaghi’s side have made a brilliant start to the season, winning four out of four in Serie A to sit at the top of the table with a two-point lead over second-placed Juventus.

Inzaghi emphasized how Inter’s mentality has strengthened as a result of their efforts last season.

He said, “It was an amazing journey, without forgetting the tough group that we had to overcome. Now comes the hard part, but the boys know that with everyone working together, we can do excellent things.”

In contrast, Sociedad have made a disappointing start to their domestic campaign and find themselves in 11th place in LaLiga with just six points from five matches.

Inzaghi, 47, warned that Sociedad, who finished fourth last season, posed a significant challenge to Inter.

“They are a very organized team, there is a coach who has been there for many years, many players have remained there,” he said.

“The result cannot be predicted, we know it will be a difficult, intense match, because Real Sociedad is an intense team, with good, strong, technically excellent players.

“We have to be good at helping ourselves and defending together and then attacking as a team.”

Inter Sociedad are in Group D along with RB Salzberg and Benfica. reuters