AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi has admitted that Sunday night’s clash against Fiorentina could prove vital at the end of the season in the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification.
The Rossoneri are set to face La Viola at the San Siro on Sunday night, and the former striker was quick to say that he expects a complicated game.
“It’s going to be complicated tomorrow,” said Inzaghi in his pre-match press conference. “Fiorentina are one of the best teams in Serie A and play great football; this is why they tend to do so well in Europe.
“When they have a full squad at their disposal, the Viola can compete at the same level as Juventus and Roma.
“We have studied everything and hope to be well prepared; we know Fiorentina’s strengths are pace and possession with a top quality midfield.
“However, tomorrow I want us to get back to winning at the San Siro and we need our fans for a passionate atmosphere.”
“We had our best performance of the season against Verona and cannot afford to take a step backwards.
“The fact we are five points clear of Fiorentina at this stage is already important, as they are direct rivals for our targets.
“If they don’t win on Sunday, the hunt for third place could get very complicated for them.”
Inzaghi also urged his players to keep focusing, as well as saying that he must protect the squad from over-confidence.
“I know the football world well and the dangers that lie in there,” he said. “We must keep our feet on the ground, and every day I tell my players we can’t relax, even when 3-0 up.
“We are a team which needs to find our confidence – and positive results help, but I must also protect the squad from too much praise, we’ve achieved nothing yet.”
Inzaghi faces a couple of big calls as the former striker must choose an attacking pair and also make a difficult choice between Diego Lopez and Christian Abbiati in goal.
“I need to find the best starters for this game and the alternatives who can prove decisive off the bench,” he said. “I must decide between [Jeremy] Menez, [Stephan] El Shaarawy and [Fernando] Torres.
“It’s a complicated issue, but one every coach would like to have.”
The former striker then went on to praise striker Fernando Torres, saying that he just needs to regain his goalscoring form.
“Fernando Torres can improve, like all of Milan,” he said. “However, I am happy with his performance.
“As a coach I look not only at goals, but also at his attitude and work ethic; he just needs to find his sharpness.”
