Andrea Stramaccioni and Inter travel to Sicily without the injured Walter Samuel for the important match against Palermo, a team that is struggling to stay in Serie A. The day before the match the Inter coach, as usual, held a press conference.
Palermo has recovered since Sanninos return. 8 points in four games for them…
“I think Palermo are a structured team that has proven its worth and I am convinced that, especially at home, they can put any team in difficulty. It is an important game for them in the battle to avoid relegation, but the game is important for us as well, it will be an exciting match.”
How are Samuel and Chivu doing?
“Today I go against the trend, I’m not talking about the injured. I’m talking about those who are there, about those who have responded in a big way during this period. Christian is called, Walter is not, but I’m actually hopeful that someone will recover next week.”
You are a fixed point in the project. How proud are you?
“We’ve made lots of changes, change a lot this season. We must learn from our mistakes to ensure they are not repeated. It is a pride for me to be here, but that goes for the young and the less young players here as well, who are part of this project, because the only thing that matters is only Inter.”
Is an Inter without Handanovic conceivable?
“You know how important he is for us since he replaced Julio Cesar in a good way. He is a charismatic player for us, according to Andrea Stramaccioni you cannot do without him in Inter’s future.”
Third place is six points away, is there a certain bitterness over the matches lost at home?
“There is, because despite the problems we’ve had, we could have had a few more points. Such is football, we must look ahead. We are in a special situation, we want to and need to do well in Palermo, even if they want to get the points.”
There is talk that Samuel’s season is over. Can you confirm that?
“I think Samuel has proven how valuable he is to this team. From a technical standpoint, it is no doubt about it, but if he were to take this decision, it is another thing.”
There is also talk about the transfer market. Is there a possibility that a strong player could be sacrificed?
“The league is under way and in the papers the finest players like Cavani, El Sharaawy and Lamela are leaving. Handanovic and Guarin from us because they played a great season, but I see no danger of them leaving Inter. It is a time when the biggest names attract attention. On the European level, there could be a lot of movement on the player benches, but we are holding on tight to our players.”
Moratti talks about a strong partner. Could it be important in the transfer market?
“The president also talks to me about these situations. There are investors who want Inter and not vice versa, because our club is stable. Then it depends on the president and other management options.”
How is Cassano? It is silent about him…
“I am hopeful that there are players who will come back next week, but I will not mention any names because comebacks are sensitive stuff. Regarding Cassano our diagnosis is the same as for Palacio. I think they will return at approximately the same time. Antonio was injured on Sunday, Rodrigo injured on Wednesday.”
You started the season with Cassano, Milito, Palacio, Coutinho. Finisci con Alvarez-Rocchi. What are some positive things to take with you?
“The greatest bitterness is not having had the most important players availible, but it applies to everyone. Replacing a striker is more difficult than replacing a wing, but such is football. In this regard, Inter has been punished and at the personal level it has necessitated the need to make many changes, which prevented us from being able to get continuity. During my ten years in the youth section, I have led teams with a playing system, here I have not been able to do that for several reasons. Then we have lost continuity, it is a time of need, but on Sunday we showed that we have these properties. Rocchi and Alvarez do a good job, they have proven their worth. Tommaso scores and Ricardo have demonstrated his qualities for those who still doubted by producing a lot of personality. He is one of our key players.”
Our colleagues at fcinternews.it asked Stramaccioni to comment on Livaja’s statement earlier today.
“I’m the one at Inter who knows him best. He has a personality that you have to understand, he should be treated with love. At his age you could say a little too much, he cares for Inter. Then he is our player and any discussion is superfluous.”
Fcinternews.it then asked the coach if he could imagine Cassano and Stramaccioni still together at Inter?
“The future I imagine with the players involved in the team’s core, but now we must focus on Palermo, all the guys on my team can be part of my team in the future.”
What traps do you expect in Palermo?
“The weather can affect the second half, but we will give all our energy on the field. It will certainly be a large crowd there and it will be a harder match than the one last Sunday against Parma.”
How is Nagatomo doing?
“He is calm now, I’ve talked with Yuto. We’ll see what happens later on.”
Tomorrow Juventus could be crowned Italian champions, a well deserved title?
“They have been the strongest team with the most continuity, we can only congratulate them.”
In the coming time, could there be a few adjustments made, given the signings already made?
“We have already developed a good foundation given that we put opponents in trouble at home and in Europe. I will return to the name sunder international interest in the past year, we have acquired Palacio, Handanovic, Kovacic. In This season finale, we need to improve something that we already have here.”
Moratti has said that only Inter can beat Bayern Munich at home. Would the team from the season’s start have been able to do it?
“In a one-off game, yes.”
Source: fcinternews.it