MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi explains his Inter substitutions against Empoli, including a new role for Nicolò Barella and where they ‘need to improve’ after the 4-4 thriller with Juventus.

It starts at 5.30pm GMT at the Stadio Castellani.

You can follow all the build-up and action of this match, Juventus-Parma, Atalanta-Monza and Venezia-Udinese on the Live Blog.

The Nerazzurri are feeling frustrated after Sunday evening’s dramatic Derby d’Italia, where they led 4-2 but were reduced to 4-4 by rivals Juventus.

With Piotr Zielinski and Kristjan Asllani still not at 100 percent, with Hakan Calhanoglu, Carlos Augusto, Francesco Acerbi and Tajon Buchanan, today they handed over the keys of the midfield to Barella and brought in Davide Frattesi.

“At the moment we have some problems in midfield because Asllani is not fully fit, but he is gritting his teeth to be here with us. Zielinski started well against Juventus and then asked to be removed, so I preferred Barella in that role. He has proven that he can do it well,” Inzaghi told DAZN.

Inzaghi does not underestimate Empoli

This is not a match to be underestimated, as Empoli were unbeaten in the first six rounds and only narrowly lost to Lazio and Napoli, while they have only conceded one goal at the Stadio Castellani this season.

“Every match is important. We know what our journey is, we were on the field 48 hours ago, there was not much time and we were trying to organize against an opponent who is having a good campaign,” Inzaghi added.

Instead of training on the field after such an intense match, the coach focused on video analysis yesterday.

“We have analyzed the match we just had with Juve, we know where we did well and where we need to improve. The whole team has to do better without the ball. There was a lot of positive in that match, but there was clearly also a lot where we need to improve.”