Inter have a lot of regrets after Madrid defeat, bemoans Inzaghi

Simone Inzaghi said Inter were made to regret failing to capitalise on a positive first-half display in their Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

Inter were denied top spot in Group D after going down 2-0 to Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Though already guaranteed a place in the knockout phase, goals from Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio ensured Inter will be drawn to play a group winner in the last 16.

Inter were on top of large periods of the first half; with 13 shots, 14 open-play crosses and 54.9 per cent of the possession.

But for all their positive play, visiting Inter could only register a single shot on target and their task was made more difficult after the break following Nicolo Barella’s dismissal.

 | FOTO

Grazie #InterFans!#RealInter #UCL #ForzaInter #RealMadridInter pic.twitter.com/1h85ho4PWG

— Inter (@Inter) December 7, 2021

Despite a 10th defeat in 12 European matches against Spanish opposition, Inzaghi insisted the experience will stand his side in good stead heading into the knockout stages.

Inter have lost each of their last four European meetings with Madrid, and have now lost each of their last seven away games against the LaLiga giants.

“Clearly, we wanted to get a different result, but it will be very useful for our future,” the head coach said. 

“There are a lot of regrets with the first half because, in my opinion, we played very well and with personality. 

“Unfortunately, we created a lot of situations where the numbers were in our favour, but we went into the interval a goal down.

“It was an open match; we were close to scoring the equaliser after the break. When it became 10 against 11, it was more difficult.

“We are growing; I can say very little to my players in terms of performance. 

“We played well in both games against Real Madrid, but lost them both. Obviously, we have to do something more.”