Javier Zanetti says under-fire head coach Simone Inzaghi knows Inter must end their Serie A slump as he fights to keep his job.

The pressure increased on Inzaghi when the Nerazzurri were consigned to a 1-0 defeat by Monza at San Siro on Saturday.

Inter have slipped to fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed fierce rivals Milan after taking just one point from their past five matches.

Inzaghi's side are still in the hunt for two trophies, leading Benfica 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final ahead of a home second leg on Wednesday and locked at 1-1 with Juventus in a Coppa Italia semi-final.

Inter vice-president Zanetti played down reports that crisis talks were held with Inzaghi following their latest loss last weekend, but confirmed he had spoken to the former Lazio boss.

The former Argentina international told DAZN: "Let's say we always talk, I like to do it especially with a clear head the day after the match.

"On Wednesday we'll all be together to try to get to this semi-final Champions League that we have been missing for a long time. We hope that the team can respond on the pitch."

Zanetti says Inzaghi is well aware he must turn Inter's Serie A fortunes around.

"He [Inzaghi] has always shown great professionalism, apart from the fact that he too recognises that the league performance isn't enough when looking at the value of our team," Zanetti said.

"Between the league and the cups we have to try to change this trend, which is absolutely not good."

Zanetti is at a loss to explain why Inter have lost their way.

He added: "It's difficult to answer, it's a question we ask ourselves too. The fundamental thing is to be all united in view of Wednesday's great opportunity.".