Inter coach Luciano Spalletti held his first press conference of the new season during the Nerazzurri’s pre-season training camp at the club’s training centre in Appiano Gentile.
The Nerazzurri tactician was asked about Juventus signing of Cristiano Ronaldo to which he replied: “he will give visibility and strength to the league, but ours was once a league that was the best in the world. A league where you did not hope for your rivals to be weakened but instead you wanted to be the best of the best. Ronaldo’s arrival will give us this impetus to again want to be the best of the best. Our aim is to be on the heels of the strongest teams. We want to compete with the best sides. I wonder why we can’t do well this year, nobody can make us feel inferior.”
Spalletti was then asked about his impressions of the new signings replying that: “They have all showed great enthusiasm to wear this shirt and have presented themselves really well. Lautaro is showing that he’s a strong player, he’s already mature for his age. He has a strong character, he’s tough. Politano dribbles well and is quick with the ball at his feet. Stefan de Vrij has international experience and can do things with the ball straight after winning it back. Nainggolan is very easy to read. What you see is what you get with him and that’s important for us. Salcedo is like Karamoh in that he’s a player you want with the ball at his feet, he wants to go by you. Asamoah is a complete player, he’s perfect for sides who want to make steps forward. He already knows what to do.”
The former Roma coach was then asked to share his thoughts on Brozovic and Perisic’s performances at the World Cup stating that: “Brozovic and Perisic have shown in the last matches what they can do. The match against England was the best on their part. Brozovic determines the quality of the team allowing Modric to go further forward. He ran more than 16 km in the last match. The ball never dies when it is at his feet. Perisic is a remarkable player from a physical point of view. Mourinho is right, if there is anyone we can compare to Cristiano Ronaldo it is him because he is fast, when attacking but also in the many times he helped us in the defensive faze. What he can learn is to score more goals because he could relly score more. They’re happy at Inter and want to do well with us.”
Spalletti then continues by looking forward to the season ahead tactically stating that: “Last year, we suffered but we showed an extremely strong mentality. We responded in the right way and this makes me think that we’re solid as a team. So far, we’ve played with four in defence and we’ll play that way tomorrow against Lugano. Next friendly, we’ll play with three at the back. Lautaro and Icardi can easily play together so there is no problem there.
“I’m sorry about Cancelo and Rafinha because they gave us a big hand. They were committed to these colours in every way. But unfortunately, there are rules to be respected and we have to look at the dynamics of certain situations” the tactician continued when asked if he misses the duo.
In conclusion he was asked about his contract renewal stating that: “My contract is not an issue. We can even sort it all out in five minutes after training. Let’s not invent things that are not there. I feel good here. We’re serious people and we just want to work in the right way which is what the Inter Fans deserve.”
