Mazzarri: “Great first half, we did everything but score. Here is why I subbed Alvarez”

Walter Mazzarri talked to Sky directly after the game against Roma: “The team is still under construction, but we played a great first half. Our finishing lacked some sharpness, but we played at one of the toughest stadia and to come here and control the ball was our objective. This season is a construction period for Inter, and the players know what I want. The only thing to regret is that we could have converted our chances to two or three goals. A transition phase? Yes, but I am satisfied. If you look at how we have performed since the beginning of the season, we have at least five points less than we deserve, in some games we have been unlucky. In a few games we might have recieved more than we deserved, like for example against Fiorentina, but we have also lost several points, for example in Genoa and in the drawn games at home”.

Regarding the Alvarez – Hernanes substitution: “At half time, Ricky told me that he had a physical problem, and he recently returned from an injury. I made the substitution later than I initially intended, but it was still a shame that I was forced to take him off. It was a security measure, so that he wouldn’t get injured again. It was unfortunate since he was doing very well. Bad luck? We have had many tied games where we have had an advantage in play without being able to score. In the first half we were often close to the goal and created several opportunities, but we couldn’t find the net. If you look at the quality of our play, we did well. Why did I put on Botta instead of Milito? At the end of the game I noticed that neither Rodrigo nor Mauro were able to put pressure on De Rossi, and also Botta is well adapted to counter-attacks and playing on the wings. Today the pressure got to him a bit, in the earlier games he did better and created havoc in the opposition’s defense. The plan was for Palacio to make runs forward so Nagatomo and Jonathan could find him from the wings. Icardi did well in the first half, but Palacio made progress and he has managed to do this before”.

“Why didn’t I sub Guarin? Occasionally he has a bad period but in the last few games he has always provided the decisive passes, today we missed them. It is true that he usually loses the ball a few times, but the substitution on Ricky was made to avoid risks. Guarin is like that, he is a fantastic player but during a game he has a few performance dips. We are working with him to make sure they happen less often. He still has highs and lows, sometimes his game comes to a halt, but it has improved this year. Earlier I used him as a second striker to avoid risks. Today he didn’t have the fortune of providing an assist, but he is an important player for us”.

Regarding the video replays, with punches and the penalty on Icardi that wasn’t given: “I am positive towards every technological improvement that improves the course of the game and helps the referee make the right decision. The performance of the referee  referee should influence the game as little as possible, he should be able to recieve help. Technological advances are made in every sector, why not on the football pitch? Those who are responsible have to be intelligent and see what changes could be made in football..”

Source: FcInterNews.it