Before the last match of the European League group stage against Neftchi, Inter’s coach Andrea Stramaccioni, as usual, held a press conference today. Thursday’s game does not mean that much considering that advancement from the group stage already has been secure with the win in Belgrade, but it can be an opportunity for young players who recently has receieved less playing time recently to get a chance.
Will you hold a ritiro tonight given that you have not called any players?
“This isn’t a moment in which I want to use all the first team players. Due to our condition, I would prefer to make it to Sunday with the most energy possible. So I decided to go with a large number of Primavera players, who yesterday played against Rosenborg however. In tomorrow morning’s training I’ll choose the lads that I’ll use from all of them, although they’ll remain here with the team tonight, while the ‘big boys’ will come directly to training tomorrow morning. After that I’ll decide whom to call up. But for me it’s crucial that the youngest of them stay with the team tonight for the experience. However, using young players doesn’t mean choosing chaos but rather taking advantage of an important resource.”
How is the situation for Sneijder?
“I hadn’t expected a question about Sneijder! Really, you guys caught me off guard! I think I’ve spoken exhaustively on this subject, and the president has also spoken on it numerous times. I repeat that all of the choices from here on out, regarding every Inter player, are just my assessments. Therefore, the choice regarding Sneijder comes from the coach. He’s doing well, very well, training with his team-mates like everyone else. And with this I request that you ask me no further questions on the matter. How would the club react if I were to play him? Why? Are the club and I two different entities? I don’t understand… [smiling]. At any rate, it’s a choice made by the coach. I don’t know how to say it, to repeat it; I make my choices and I take responsibility for them. Regarding the players and beyond, I hope that the president respects these choices [smiling]. However, [still smiling] if he supported the substitution of Zanetti then I think he’ll support any choice…”
Tell us about the injured players?
“The situation is improving, the players who are away are feeling better and on Sunday we saw that this is not our best time. Alvarez, after the match against Parma, had some pain in his knee, now he was back and I hope he can be there on Sunday. Chivu and Stankovic are making great progress. I hope to have them available for the match in the Coppa Italia and at one hundred percent after the break. Regarding the others, there isn’t much news, but they are recovering well. My intention is to spare them in tomorrow’s match.”
Which players could be used with more continuity in the first team?
“Livaja is the young player who has given us the best answers. He must find continuity, I have always had confidence in him. He was born in 93, but behind him are many players born in 94. Benassi showed in the match against Kazan that he has good prospects but I do not want to draw too much focus on him. Allow them to develop in peace and quiet. Letting them play in matches at this level is unusual.”
Is there anything that has changed since last Friday regarding the Sneijder affair?
“I think the problem is higher up. You’re looking for a truth that does not exist, I’m the coach and I choose not to let Sneijder play.”
Does Cassano need to play tomorrow?
“I do not know if I will let him play from the start or if he will get into the game while it is in progress. I do not want the workload in tomorrow’s match to affect Sunday’s game too much. It is what happens on the pitch that will be decisive and he can make a contribution. I have not yet paid any attention to how we should face Sunday’s game. His return is important for us, he has different characteristics than the other two. He can be an alternative to the three up front, even if they are two.”
Floro Flores and Bianchi are mentioned more often as an alternative for Inter. What do you think?
“They are two central striker who has done well in the Italian league but they are both, especially Bianchi, busy with their teams. It does not seem convenient to talk about them. Let’s talk about it in January, now I don’t want do it. A central striker? I have always talked about characteristics, I know very well that neither he (Livaja), Palacio or Cassano is a prima punta. We have not succeeded in getting that sort of player. In January, I think that we should primarily seek to ensure that those who have been away for a long time become available again. I am confident that we can get back Chivu and Stankovic and even Obi. The only player that we do not have a replacement for is Diego (Milito red.) If we decide to be active in the market, it is a player with his characteristics or similar. We have a competitive structure.”
How important is it to engage these young people in the ritiro?
“For me it is important that these people experience a ritiro. It’s something I decided, more flexible for some players except the youngsters. Tomorrow morning I will decide who will be on the pitch or on the bench.”
Balotelli as Vice Milito. Have you made a secret request to the president about him?
“How do you do that? With a camouflaged phone? I have to call him because he is not really familiar with the messages (laughs ed.) If I ask him for something, he knows that it’s me. Currently I have not asked him about him, and until January 1, I will not do that because we are focused on what is happening on the pitch: we play against Napoli, Lazio and Genoa, and during a difficult time, it is important to focus on the pitch. Balo has supple characteristics and can play both as prima or seconda punta, but I say this from the outside.”
Which guys from the Primavera will remain with the first team?
“Everyone here is called. It is a different sort of game and I have to deal with it as such. The fact that we use young people does not mean that we choose chaos, but that instead we will field a special Inter.”
Sources: inter.it, fcinternews.it & fcinter1908.it