AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi has stated that his side will do their all to get all three points when they host Sampdoria on Sunday.
The Rossoneri are eighth in the Serie A table, seven points adrift of Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men who occupy fifth place, and the former striker said that his side are focused on the encounter, whilst also pointing out that injuries had impacted his side’s performances.
“We are aware of the importance of this game,” he said. “However, we mustn’t also put ourselves under too much pressure.
“Of course we’re very focused and we hope to perform well.
“The injuries had impacted our performances, of course we should’ve done better, but now training is different.
“The game tomorrow will be a game between two sides that are doing really well. I congratulate Sinisa [Mihajlovic] for what he has done, but we have to win. They have really good players, especially in attack; we know our strengths, and we’ll do everything to get all three points.
“The important thing is to play well, then results will come, I don’t look at the standings. We played our best game of 2015 against Fiorentina [in a 2-1 loss] yet something changed, even if we didn’t win.”
Inzaghi then went on to speak about some members of the side including Sulley Muntari who asked not to be called up to the squad unless there is an emergency, and on-loan striker Mattia Destro and whether the Rossoneri will purchase him from Roma at the end of the season.
“It was Muntari who told me not to call him up,” he said. “If I need him I know I can count on him.
“I’m not thinking about the Destro situation now, I’m happy with how he’s playing, as he’s vital to the team. However, these matters are assessed at the end of the season.
“[Marco] van Ginkel and Suso have done really well in past weeks, which is why they featured. I’m happy that we now have depth; they’re game-changers.
“[Stephan] El Shaarawy to Genoa? Absolutely not. He will remain at Milan, he is a young and exceptional professional.
“[Jeremy] Menez’s season is not up to me, I don’t like to take credit, I leave it to the players, he’s playing exceptionally well but he can still improve. Other than scoring, he can assist more goals.”
The former striker reiterated that the players are not thinking about the club’s possible sale, and it’s only what happens on the pitch that matters.
“We think about the field, and only about the field,” he said. “We will only win by playing, and I am convinced that we’ll win tomorrow.
“Let’s see after the game if my prophecy comes true.”
Finally, Inzaghi stated that his coaching idol is current Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who coached the former striker at both Juventus and Milan.
“I respect many of my colleagues,” he said. “I’m very good friends with Mihajlovic and he was the first person to congratulate me after I was appointed coach of Milan.
“My idol from a coaching point of view is Ancelotti.
“I still have one more year on my current contract with Milan, if the board are happy with what I’m doing then they’ll allow me to stay.”
