Simone Inzaghi sticks up for Nicolo Barella after ugly on-field spat with Romelu Lukaku

Simone Inzaghi has insisted that Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku’s on-pitch dispute on Monday is now water under the bridge as Inter Milan prepare for the biggest week of their season so far.

Barella and Lukaku were caught on TV cameras shouting and gesturing at each other, with the Chelsea loan forward telling the Italian international ‘f*** you, son of ab***h’.

Inter drew the game 0-0, although Inzaghi insisted afterwards that the issues had been resolved and were not part of a deeper rift permeating their relationship or indeed the squad in general.

Speaking before his team host Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday night, Inzaghi defended Barella, saying he always wants to win and sometimes that can lead to incidents escalating.

“Barella is fully committed to the cause, he is highly motivated, he always wants to win,” Inzaghi said.

Simone Inzaghi defended Nicolo Barella after his fight on the pitch with his teammate Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku was embroiled in a heated exchange with his Inter teammate Nicolo Barella

Desire can sometimes overflow, but we all know what kind of person he is. I have confidence in him and in the rest of the team.’

Monday’s draw was marked by spat, with both players shouting at each other and making wild gestures at each other as Inter struggled to lose even more ground to Napoli at the top of Serie A.

Lukaku seemed to take issue with Barella waving his arms in his direction, presumably in frustration.

‘Don’t do that, enough with these arms!’ Lukaku said. ‘Do not do that! It’s not good, it’s insulting, now stop it!’

Despite being 15 points behind leaders Napoli and hosting Porto in the Champions League next month, Inzaghi insisted his players remain motivated for the league match with Udinese and the prospect of “winning against our own hubby”.

“We always play to win every game. Luck was not on our side in Genoa, we need to be more clinical in front of goal, the team had the right attitude, we gave everything to win”, he said.

The fight between Lukaku and Barella occurred during Inter Milan’s 0-0 draw with Sampdoria

The breakup between the couple comes as a surprise as they are good friends at the club.

‘Our strength of late is a very encouraging factor, the team is defending as one, together. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult match. Udinese is a good team, they are technically and physically strong.

‘We will have to be at our best. It may be repetitive, but despite the Champions League on the horizon, the focus is on Inter-Udinese’, the coach continued.

‘I think our biggest motivation tomorrow comes from wanting to win in front of our fans.

I will make the necessary assessments. I am going to trust all the players, the starters and those on the bench.’