INZAGHI PRESS CONFERENCE

(IN THE PHOTO: Inzaghi takes questions from the press) 
MILAN- This is what was said by Filippo Inzaghi in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s match versus Juventus at 20.45 at the San Siro:Opening comments: “Tomorrow is a big match and I am happy for my team. We have 6 points and we will play the match with nothing to lose. I have repeated this to my team. We’ll be playing in a full San Siro and that could help us get a result and have the perfect match. I don’t know if it will be enough, but we will give everything.” More on Juve: “It would have been better to play Juventus with a bit more self-confidence. They’ve won the past 3 years and are full of confidence. I don’t know how far we can go but I do know where we started from. We can’t think that we’re like them, but in a one off match, let’s hope that we can overcome this with our desire.” On Antonio Conte and Juventus: “It’s natural that a club like Milan thought about Antonio Conte. I like that I am similar to Conte. Some things bring us together like certain values and rules. It’s 11 v 11 tomorrow. They have great confidence and we are gaining in it. I hope that we can play on equal terms. We won’t start defeated and we want to have a great match. I know San Siro and its fans: it can give you something extra. We have to grow in all senses, but the team spirit is an excellent starting point."More from Inzaghi: “The results give us confidence, but we’re not perfect and we have to improve. We have to be aware of our problems. You can’t win every match. I repeat, we know where we started from. I am satisfied and with work and the desire that we have, we will continue to improve.”On the line-up: "I am spoilt for choice in all areas. I will evaluate match by match the best players and the options to use from the bench. Today I will evaluate with my staff the right solution to take on the Juventus defence. It’s better to be in large numbers during these occasions because you take on the matches calmer and aware of the strength of your substitutes.”Individuals and a word about Torres’ absence versus Parma due to injury: "Torres tried to recover to be on the bench. We didn’t risk him, but I’ve noted him charged-up just like El Shaarawy. We’ll see if they will be available to play from the start. I will make my assessments for the starting eleven. De Jong is doing very well but it doesn’t surprise me. He has a lot of charisma."On what he expects from his players: "The squad can do better than eighth place. I am a Milanista and a fan of this jersey. I’ve tried to bring the values back and the squad has taken this on board. We now have to build something important. We have to be ambitious and then in December we will draw our conclusions on what we have achieved.”Speaking about Juve coach and former Milan boss Max Allegri: "I had some misunderstandings with Allegri but they have been cleared up. Let’s look forward and enjoy this match with the stadium full of our fans. I am very happy. From every coach that has coached me I have learnt something. Allegri is a very prepared coach and he will make our lives difficult. He has a great team and I wish him all the very best… but after tomorrow evening’s match!"On his Juve past as a player before arriving at Milan: "I have a great relationship with all my former sides. Andrea Agnelli wrote to me straight away after the Viareggio victory. I have great memories of all the sides I played in. With work and professionalism you are always remembered with affection."Another question about the side and how far Inzaghi expects them to go: "With this desire we can go far, but we have to stay calm, have humility and the right mentality. We have to improve and grow, I am aware of all this. I am happy with the work that we are doing and to see the spirit of the team. The Parma match was exciting, a thriller that was good for our fans that came to see it.”On the President Silvio Berlusconi: "The relationship with the President has always been wonderful. He rated me as a player and I am happy that he often comes to visit us. His presence is fundamental and I hope to satisfy the club’s wishes. This closeness leaves me calm to do my job and allows me to make tough choices to the best of my abilities."More on individuals, the injury to Spanish shot stopper Diego Lopez and the back-line as a whole: "Diego Lopez has an injury but it’s a great fortune to have a player like Abbiati ready to replace him. I have some very good central defenders available and match by match I will try and find the best pairing. Step by step we’ll work hard to find out who are the best. In the long term, the best defence makes the difference, but I repeat we know where we started from and I am aware that we have to improve."Inzaghi showed his modest side and attributed the turnaround at the club to his players: "I don’t want to take credit, I hope to do my best in my job. Winning over the President Silvio Berlusconi after 2 matches and the fans is the merit of my players. It’s always been hard to choose the formation because in training the players all give their all and they train with a crazy amount of intensity."The Milan coach spoke in great length about Jeremy Menez, who has impressed in the early part of the season: "Menez has not surprised me. I knew his qualities well. I wanted to meet him personally and after speaking to him I understood that he was a good lad and a top professional. He’s always one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. He trains hard and the results can be seen out on the pitch. A few months ago no one even considered him, now he’s a phenomenon. We all have to help him. He’s a generous person and I’ve tried to make him feel important straight away by giving him responsibilities. Menez has always impressed me with his technique and speed. He’s now doing very well and I hope that it continues like this for a long time. From the first chat with him, I understood that he had the desire to do well and to earn a place again in the French national side.  I understood this and I chose him. He has a lot of motivation and he behaves in a professional manner. His qualities are undoubted. He’s respected by his team-mates for the way he is. He scored an amazing goal and it started from the way he went round Mirante. He created the goal with his brilliance."Inzaghi also had very positive words to say about Keisuke Honda: "I spoke about Honda a couple of months ago. He is paying us back with excellent performances and a brilliant attitude. I believe that the interview that he conducted earlier this week should be shown to the soccer schools. His will to improve is a great message for the youngsters. Let’s hope Honda continues like this. Up front, I am blessed with choice, but seeing him train, I hope that he keeps up this form for a long time. From the first training session he has shown the right attitude."