Andrea Stramaccioni spoke loud and clear about the importance of his injured centre forward during today’s press conference, underlining just how close the whole Nerazzurri family is to the Argentine.
“I’ve spent a lot of time talking to Diego, I phoned him late at night after the game and we had a long chat. Not only are we all with him but we’re all waiting for him to return. I can’t envisage Inter without him next season. I know how much everyone here cares about him, and how capable the people looking after him are. He’ll have his operation today at about 14:30, he’s in our thoughts. He’s a fundamental part of Inter’s future, of my future Inter and everyone’s future Inter.”
It was only natural to speak about Milito today, but ahead of Fiorentina v Inter there were also tomorrow’s opponents to talk about:
“I can say this with complete confidence: the Stadio Franchi is one of the toughest grounds to go to this season. None of the big teams have managed to win there and they’ve all struggled. It’s a real six-pointer tomorrow, there are only four points between us and Fiorentina. It’s going to be extremely tough.”
Stramaccioni was asked if Inter would look for players without a contract to sign on the mercato:
“For now I exclude this possibility. Then it’s only right for Branca and Ausilio to monitor the situation and the possibilities. But for now I exclude the possibilities for a new player to sign.”
How is Stankovic?
“He had a small problem but he’ll be ready on munday. He’s really up for the derby and he’ll definitely be in the squad list for that game.”
How are the preparations for the derby?
“Our injury situation doesn’t allow us to rest players as we might like. Hopefully we won’t pay for it on the pitch”
Have you allready considered alternative solutions after Militos injury?
“We have many ideas for the future. It’s after this way our project will go. We’ve allready played with a central midfielder and two second strikers. Since we don’t have any offensive wing players our solutions are limited. We have no player with the characteristics of an offensive wing player. After this tactical analysis we’ll do whatever we can if we look at our material. Our offensive players will have to change up front.”
How is Samuels situation different from Stankovic?
“Samuel needs longer time to come back, he’ll surely miss the derby. I’ve been following him and he works well, he’ll be of use in the coming future. For now I prefer recovering him calmly.”
Our colleagues on Fcinternews.it ask if Inter don’t regret having let Livaja go after Militos injury:
“”You have to make reasoned choices. Livaja needed to be playing more games. We want a player who is more mature in july and who has played with continuity. Militos injury could of course give us regrets, but the project of Inter is more important than our bad luck.”
Fcinternews ask if it’s possible to play with Guarin and Alvarez behind a lonely striker:
“Yes, the choice to play with one central striker could be a solution. A striker with the support of two players starting from a lower position.”
Could the primavera help you with some players after Viareggio?
“Yes, I’ll surely add a primavera player to the squad. Forte and Colombi have the characteristics of a central striker. Garritano and Terrani play a bit behind, and are players who still need to grow. The player we saw as ready have all left to play, Longo, Livaja and Bessa. Those who could help the first team are allready practicing with the team.”
A derby is coming and the tension between the supporters seem to be high..
“Sporting rivalry is one of the things that makes the derby so compelling. But that mustn’t give rise to racism. World football doesn’t need more that go outside the human values. We have colored players as Milan have.”
What do you expect from Fiorentina?
“It’ll be a game that is different from the one at San Siro since they’ll have Aquilani, another quality player on the midfield and Toni. They represent the alternative to posession that made it positive for us to attack in the way we did. We’ll go there without fear, and I’m sure it’ll be a fantastic game of football against an in-form team who’ll be very angry after the game in Turin.”
Source: Inter.it
