Andrea Stramaccioni was interviewed by Italian Sky Sport shortly after his Inter played a 1-1 draw against Roma, in his native city of Rome: “Roma are a team that put a lot of pressure on you high up in the pitch, but we managed to stay in the match. We started with two strikers plus Guarin so this means that we also tried to play offensively. Roma began really well, especially during the first 20 minutes they created a lot of difficulties for us, but then I saw an excellent Inter who grew as the match went on. However, we missed our absent attacking players.”
Then Stramaccioni explained his thoughts on the changes he brought to the defensive line during the match: “These games you can sometimes read. We started with 3 defenders, but then I chose to move Pereira forward and put Juan to mark Lamela, luckily it went well.”
What about the feeling of being at Stadio Olimpico? “If I was to say that i didn’t feel anything I’d be lying. Certain memories from when I was a child moved me. Cambiasso? I chose to play with midfielders who runa lot because that’s what it takes against Roma., and we did well with Gargano and Zanetti. For this particular match I amde this choice, but for me Cambiasso is an incredibly important player. Guarin? You don’t become a leader at Inter after such a short spell, we are an united group and he is a driving force in this team.”
On a night like this it would be imposible not to mention Sneijder’s departure: “I would first like to talk to Moratti. The best thing for Sneijder and Inter was to end this right here and now. I’m not going to lie to you but this team was created around two central midfielders and Sneijder, then when I couldn’t use Sneijder anymore, I chose to change how we play, so what we need now is a deep-lying midfield playmaker. Either a player comes in to strengthen our squad which is a good thing but if the choice is to bring in someone who possesses attributes we already have in the squad, then I prefer to keep the team as it is. Why I chose Livaja over Rocchi? Tommaso wasn’t 100% fit, he had played in the Coppa Italia during the week and then I wanted a target type striker who could create spaces for Palacio. I think Livaja gave a good performance, what if he had scored when he hit the post, we’re talking abotu a 20-year old.”
Shortly after he spoke to Premium Calcio: “It was a very important point we gained. Roma had scored four goals on both Fiorentina and Milan and their first 20 minutes was incredible, a compliment to Zeman’s boys. We were very good in the second part of the first half and a good second half. The draw was the most fair result, Inter kept the game alive and we were ready to pounce on their mistakes. You should also remember that we have six strikers in the squad of which four weren’t available for this match, but Im not used to crying or making excuses, to come here and take a point with you back home isn’t easily accomplished by anyone, both teams finished the match very tired probably due to the 120 minutes in the Coppa Italia earlier in the week. If I have a future here at Roma? No, Zeman deserves to be here for another 50 years and I hope to remain at Inter as long as humanly possible. Six year ago I celebrated winning a Scudetto with the Roma youngsters and today I’m on the opponents bench. I came to Inter because of Roma and teh city of Rome, six years you just don’t forget, I can’t thank those who took me to Roma enough. Which players are back for Wednesday? Alvarez will resume full fitness tomorow then we will see how he feels.”
Finally he spoke to RAI and was asked to analize Guarin’s new role in midfield: “You can always prepare yourself ahead of matches but always be prepared to change during the course of a match. We moved around so that Juan Jesus man-marked Lamela så that we could play Guarin further up in the diamond shaped midfield. He gave everything today and created a lot fo space for himself and after he ran back to his position in the middle of the pitch. I think that when he plays just behind the strikers he is dangerous because he ensures that you don’t lose the balance in the midfield and when he comes in those one-on-one situations he’s lethal. He is a very humble person and must continue to be so, we’re working with him.”
How do you think the rest of Inter’s championship will look like? “We had our best chances during the season when we were only one point off the league-leaders, then we had a difficult period with many injuries. Now we have to conclude this transfer window by finding the last pieces of the puzzle needed in this Inter, because it’s a very different project from the Inter I had this summer. We’ve managed to develop many interesting characters like Juan, Guarin and Ranocchia and now we want to continue to qualify for the Champions League. And then we can’t forget the Europa League and the Coppa Italia” Stramaccioni concludes.
