Walter Mazzarri concluded a pressconference ahead of tomorrow’s fixture which sees Inter kick off their Serie A campaign against Genoa at the San Siro. It was a very concentrated and focused coach who refused to talk about anything else other than tomorrow’s fixture.
What kind of a season kicks off tomorrow? Will we see one leader and the rest of the pack chasing?
“I don’t know and I don’t care about what is being said generally. I only care about what we do, starting tomorrow.”
There’s a lot of rumors regarding Eto´o. Would you like to be his coach?
“I will not be discussing the transfermarket.”
Is there a concern regarding the imminent transfer of ownership from Moratti to Thohir?
“I don’t know what the boys think about when they’re home, but when they’re on the training pitch theyr’re all focused on doing a good job, understanding what their coach is asking of them. They all follow me, there is an enormous desire even if we make mistakes in training.”
Is there a big difference between the Inter you want and today’s Inter?
“There are no big news or surprises when it comes to the squad, but this will show itself on the pitch. Football in August gives us indications about the squad. It’s one thing to coach the squad every day and something different to look at the squad from outside as when i coached Napoli. There are many considerations that I need to make, some of the lads joined us later and therefore they need more time.”
You’re still waiting for Milito. Do you think that those who think that Icardi and Belfodil arent ready yet are wrong?
“There is a certain kind of workload which applies to everyone. Now that the league begins we’re at 60-70% of our maximum form and this applies to everyone, even those two. Aside from that Belfodil and Icardi have to take an important step since they play in a team who everyone is fired up to play against. It’s to soon to ask me about these things.”
Do you want to wish Napoli good luck?
“I have always said that I spent 4 important years with Napoli. I want to wish all the people who worked with me and were by my side and gave me strength good luck.”
There are those who say that given this summers transfermarket dealings, Inter is far from being at the top. Are they right?
“What I care about is facts and what happens on the pitch, day by day we will see where Inter end up. I consider myself to be an experienced coach, this is my tenth year in the Serie A and I know this game. Everyone speaks of objectives. Instead I work and distance myself from all this. I don’t care about anything else but this, everyone is aware that we start on zero points. The team is very young, we have many young lads, the only thing you can say is that we need time and people know this.”
Why have you decided to hold the final training session at the San Siro?
“Football isn’t an exact science but we try to do our best. It’s important to be familiar with how the ball bounces on the pitch, during the first matches against Cittadella we missed many simple passes. We’re holding the final training session here in order to get to know the pitch better.”
The team that plays tomorrow is basically made up of the same players who were in last years squad. What will be different now?
“I don’t like comparisons, but last years experiences are good to have in order not to repeat the same mistakes. I have given advice to the players but outwards I will only say that all the teams I’ve managed have always been tactically balanced and with a clear identity. And we’ve always played an ambitious football which has been highly appreciated by the players. This is what we are looking for. But I don’t like comparisons with the past.”
How obvious of a choice is Kovacic and Icardi for the starting line-up?
“With regards to KovacicI have to find out how many minutes he has in him because he’s the only doubtfull player in the sqaud. I could choose to race him with someone else and see if he is fit to start or not. I still have time to decide this. Icardi has had an injury, I asked him how he is doing, he isn’t 100% but I will look through this later today and then if he is fit he will be available for selection.”
What do you think about Sephir Taider?
“He can play in all positions in the middle of the pitch, everything from a mezz’ala to a regista. I also spoke to him, and he says that he is willing to even be a methodist which made me happy because he is a versatile player. I already knew that he could play in all these positions and he confirmed it. The discussions we have inside the club, stay inside the club.
Which part of the team has learnt the most from your way of playing football?
“I always keep statistics on everything in my career, but the wingers have the most difficult role. I ask a lot of them, this is why it’s difficult for them to fit in. A midfielder has an easier time to fit in because he has less things to think about. Every coach has his ideas, a 3-man defence is different from a 4-man defence. The 3 in the back have to understand and integrate in order to make us one of the most solid defences in the league.”
What is your opinion about racism?
“These things should not be allowed to exist, full stop. When it comes specific events I don’t want to comment because then I’d be interfering with the business of others and I won’t do this.”
How is Rolando doing?
“I know him well and he’s still not fully fit, you look at these things when making your decisions. Juan? He has a minor problem but if he were not to have any problems during the coming two training sessions then I trust that he will know what to do.”
You always speak of balance. Can Kovacic and Alvarez guarantee this balance?
“It’s a very interesting question because I want to retain possession of the ball for 90 minutes but there is also an opponent to consider. It’s fundamental that the technical players know how to defend. After the game against Juventus in the USA I was happy because Guarin and Alvarez defended deep, there we had a good balance.”
Are you happy with what you have?
“I don’t wish to discuss this, the club knows what we need and don’t need.”
How are Chivu and Samuel doing?
“I sent a message to Chivu, from a medical point of view we are happy as the operation went well. Samuel underwent some exercises with me yesterday, he is back working with the group, but he’s been out for a long time and for a coach he has to find the best form in order to compete with the others.”
Will Patrick Olsen stay with the first team or is it better to loan him out in order for him to gain first team experience?
“He is performed very well, I’m happy with him and considering his position right now. On the other hand other players like Taider have arrived, it’s a question that we’ve asked ourselves this week and during the coming week I will speak with the experts at the club in order to decide what the best thing to do is.”
