Inter coach Stefano Pioli and Captain Mauro Icardi spoke with RAI after the 2-1 defeat against Lazio in Coppa Italia, Icardi went first: “What happened? I think we started very well, then it’s always tough to concede a goal due to lack of attention. But we were able to continue and had a great game on a physical level, then we have to work on the small things we missed during this week.”
Pioli continues: “I also think we started well, for the first 18 minutes it seemed like it was only us on the pitch, we played even better than in the championship. Then we had to pay for not being attentive, against a team that is strong in their counter attacks. We maded some errors, but should we have been able to continue 11 against 11, there might have been a chance to come back. The players gave everything they had and I want to compliment them. We have to improve on the small things, we know that because now we play against great teams.”
Could Inter get back in the Scudetto race should they win against Juventus? “The objective is to return to UCL” – Icardi responds. “And in order to do that, we have to perform well in every game. Up until now, we have done well, now we have to work like we have every week with our heads high. With the team we have, we can beat anyone.” Pioli choses to talk about the loss and the tough game ahead of them: “It’s ok to lose a game, we make a couple of errors more than we are used to. But I am convinced that I’m coaching a great team who knows how to restart as they should and to motivate themselves for the next challenges. This isn’t what we wanted, but we will work even harder since we know the quality of the next team we’re facing.”
About Icardi being missed in the first half? “There is no doubt about Mauro’s qualtities. But I think Rodrigo had a great game. The position of the attacker depends on the position of the rest of the team and when we were close to the area we were really dangerous. Then, of course, we knew we had strong players on the bench ready to come on, but unfortunately we were left with only ten players but the way we handled that makes me convinced that we can do harm in every game. ”
Icardi about Ranocchia leaving: “I wish him the best, he’s a professional and he always gave everything during practice. We have lost a great teammate, but he can show his abilities in England.”
On Sunday, the ultimate challenge against his fellow Argentinians, Higuain and Dybala: “We have worked a lot in order to restart Inter and get us where we are now and the derby d’Italia is always important. We won the first round, now we have to perform well in order to get the result we want. I have nothing to say them.”
Source: RAI
