Diouf’s Message After Lazio-Inter: “I Just Want to Play”

Andy Diouf may have arrived at Inter as a midfielder, but his performance against Lazio showed why Cristian Chivu is increasingly willing to trust him in wider roles too.

In Inter’s 3-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico, Diouf was one of the most energetic and eye-catching players on the pitch. Used on the right, away from what he describes as his natural position, he still gave Lazio constant problems with his running, power and directness.

After the match, Diouf made his priority clear.

“I just want to play. Obviously for me it’s easier in the middle, it’s my natural role. But I can play on the right, on the left. I just want to play.”

It was a revealing quote from a player still adapting to Inter, but now beginning to look increasingly comfortable. Diouf admitted that becoming a winger permanently would require a deeper conversation with the coach.

“If Inter asked me to become a winger? I’d have to talk it over with the coach, I’ve always played as a midfielder, it’s not easy to change position like that. I’d have to talk it over with the gaffer.”

His display did not go unnoticed. Corriere dello Sport rated him 7/10, describing him as “imprendibile” — unstoppable — on the right flank and a constant thorn in Lazio’s defence.

TuttoMercatoWeb also gave Diouf 7/10, noting that although he arrived as a midfielder, he has revealed himself as an excellent wide player. Their report said he had a hand in one of the goals and was “unstoppable” on the flank, “like a non-stop train”.

Eurosport matched that rating with another 7/10, praising his “crazy energy” and saying he is visibly growing on the right side. They also credited him with involvement in both moves that led to goals, underlining how influential his performance was.

There was one contrasting assessment. OneFootball/Cult of Calcio rated Diouf 5/10, arguing that he struggled initially out wide before improving centrally. But that was very much the outlier: the wider Italian press saw this as one of his strongest Inter performances.

Diouf himself framed the season as a process of adaptation.

“The season? I needed to settle in, now I’m doing great with the team.”

That confidence arrives at the perfect time. Inter will meet Lazio again in the final, but Diouf warned that the next match will have a completely different feel.

“The final will be completely different, it’s a final and despite the same stadium and same team the match will obviously be different.”

After a performance that earned strong reviews and showed his tactical flexibility, Diouf has strengthened his case for more minutes. Whether in midfield, on the right, or elsewhere, his message to Chivu could not be simpler: he just wants to play.

What did you think of Diouf's performance against Lazio, and will he be getting another start in the Coppa Final?