Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi feels that his team’s qualification for the Champions League knockouts and Club World Cup are well-deserved.

The coach spoke in a press conference after the Nerazzurri’s win over Red Bull Salzburg, as reported by FCInterNews. He also spoke about youngsters Yann Bisseck and Kristjan Asllani.

For Inter, it’s job done.

The Nerazzurri have secured their spot in the Champions League knockout rounds for the third season in a row.

And they have done so with two matches to spare.

Undoubtedly, the team deserve their place in the round of sixteen. But at the same time, it has certainly not been as easy as it might seem.

In the first match of this season’s group stage, Inter snatched a draw away to Real Sociedad, but only after enduring one of their toughest matches of the campaign so far.

And then wins over Benfica and twice against Red Bull Salzburg were hard-fought.

That was certainly the case this evening.

Playing away from home, Inter had to suffer and fight, leaving it late to finally find the winner.

It was captain Lautaro Martinez who scored the crucial goal. The 26-year-old came off the bench and scored from the penalty spot.

Inter Coach Lautaro Martinez: UCL Knockouts & Club World Cup Well-Deserved

This is not the first time that Inter have made it out of their Champions League group.

Last season they had gotten all the way to the final.

“It was a great ride,” Inzaghi said. “Now we’re deservedly in the round of sixteen. We’ll try to go through top of the group, although that won’t be easy as Real Sociedad are proving to be a great team.”

And of qualifying for the Club World Cup Inzaghi said that “It’s a great feeling. It shows the progress we’ve made.”

“We deserved it,” he added. “And now we’ll wait to go and play in it in the best way possible.”

Inzaghi also spoke about a couple of younger players.

“[Midfielder Kristjan] Asllani came on and did well,” he said.

“He’s growing, and today was the umpteenth time he did well as a substitute.”

The coach then noted that “[defender Yann] Bisseck also convinces me every day in training.”

“Then today we saw that de Vrij, even though he doesn’t always play on the wide position in a back three, also did well.”

“I preferred to start with Bisseck because I saw him growing and improving,” the coach.