Soccer Football - Serie A - Genoa v Inter Milan - Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy - August 17, 2024 Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi reacts during the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
(Reuters) - Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi said his side were sloppy in failing to protect their late lead, as Genoa secured a last-gasp draw in the first Serie A match of the season on Saturday.
Inter were pegged back to a 2-2 draw at Genoa after a stoppage-time goal from Junior Messias, who scored on the rebound after a penalty awarded for a handball, cancelling out Marcus Thuram's second goal for Inter six minutes before time.
"A team like ours, leading in the 84th minute, shouldn't concede any more goals, especially in that way," Inzaghi told DAZN after the match.
"Football owes you nothing. Today we had to give a bit more," he said.
"Conceding two goals like that makes it difficult to win matches. Credit to Genoa, but it's a draw that doesn't leave us much satisfaction given what we created."
He said Inter would struggle to defend their Serie A title playing as they did in the match.
"Yes, winning is difficult, winning it again even more so. The boys know it, they are mature enough and that's why I'm disappointed."
Inzaghi added that, despite the hectic season for several of the players, including the recent European Championship and Copa America, there was no excuse for their performance.
Inter will next host Lecce on Aug. 24 in Serie A.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
