Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi wary of RB Leipzig threat despite poor form

Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi is taking little notice of RB Leipzig’s Champions League results this season prior to their San Siro clash on Tuesday.

Inter are unbeaten in their first four group games and stand just two points behind leaders Liverpool.

Leipzig, in contrast, have lost all four matches, conceded nine goals and have a minimal chance of progressing into the knockout phase.

“RB Leipzig have been in the Champions League for six years, they were in the semi-finals in 2020 and they had the second best defence in the Bundesliga until Saturday,” Inzaghi told www.inter.it.

“They have a lot of quality and have deserved more in the last few games.

“They are a recognisable and organised team with quality players and the standings are not a reflection of how they have played in the Champions League. We know we are facing a very strong side.”

It will be a major surprise, though, if Inter do not maintain their strong European and domestic form, with leaders Napoli only a point above them in Serie A.

Inzaghi added: “We always need to push and try to improve. We are getting some positive results, but we are always looking for things we can improve on.

“We are always trying to improve, in the league and in the Champions League. There are always a lot of challenges.

“We have played these matches in the best way possible, but there are four more to go and we need points.

“We will face two German sides (Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen) that have been doing well for years and the last two games will be in January.

“We will face prepared coaches and top-quality players and we have to keep on going without looking too far ahead and thinking about what will come.”

Italy international midfielder Davide Frattesi could miss out against Leipzig as he battles to overcome an ankle problem.

“Frattesi is experiencing a slight problem which he had before the international break,” Inzaghi said.

“He trained a bit yesterday and his ankle gave him a few problems this morning. We hope he doesn’t miss out because we know how important and decisive he is for us.

“We hope that he will recover in a short space of time.”

Leipzig are likely to be boosted by Lutsharel Geertruida and Castello Jr being available after suffering injuries, but Yussuf Poulsen and El Chadaille Bitshiabu are non-starters.

Xaver Schlager sand David Raum will also miss out, with both players on course for a December return, while Leipzig are awaiting further information on an injury to Elif Elmas, but Lukas Klostermann has not travelled to Milan because of muscular problems.