Inter coach Luciano Spalletti held a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s big match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milano’s San Siro district when the Nerazzurri host AS Roma with kick-off scheduled for 20.45 CET.
The former Roma coach began by describing his thoughts and feelings when playing the club he managed on two separate occasions: “I had important moments of my life and career with Roma, so it’s like revisiting a childhood haunt and seeing old friends. I am very happy at Inter now and I have a two-year contract, so expect to see that project through and hope to qualify for the Champions League.”
Spalletti then moved on to discuss the match tomorrow stating: “It will be a match played on an equal footing. We want to attack Roma and confront the difficulties that we might find in the match. It’s still too early to define the match as being decisive for Champions League qualification, even if such matches can be decisive for the enthusiasm and conviction that they bring. One of the key aspects of this match will be maintaining concentration throughout, you can’t get distracted on the pitch because there will be players out there who can decide a game in every passage of play, even more than normal.”
Spalletti moved on to discuss the form of Inter captain Mauro Icardi as well as the physcial status of the entire squad saying. “During the difficult moment he was the first who wanted to go again. Icardi is one of those guys who when presented with an obstacle will look at you, smile and ask when we can get started. All you have to do is follow him. Miranda is in the squad, he worked well all week. D’Ambrosio worked cautiously at the start in the first training sessions but he’s also called up. We’re working to look to improve, I want to do my work in the period stated in the contract that I signed and achieve the objective of Champions League qualification.”
In conclusion the Inter coach was asked to comment on the club’s dealing on the transfer market saying: “I work with Ausilio and Sabatini 24 hours a day, they are in tune with me. It’s up to us to help Rafinha find his form and fitness, not the other way around. Otherwise, we risk sending out the wrong message to those who have fought hard here up until now. Lisandro Lopez is already ordering everyone about in training. He has the shout and determination you need in a defender. Joao Mario had some good performances, perhaps better as a substitute than from the start, but I think he gave his general contribution to our results.”
