Walter Mazzarri spoke to the media for the first time this season and was raring to go with a new found enthusiasm and a new captain. The Inter boss spoke about a variety of subjects such as his rejuvenated excitement, the captaincy, the formation, the new players and the season ahead. Here are his words:
“It’s a new era and having already spent a season here, this time around I’ll be able to stamp my mark on the team even more. Why am I so excited? Because of the confidence the club’s management have in me for a start. Then there’s the way the fans welcomed us yesterday here in Pinzolo. The players and I are all really up for it.”
From the press conference it should be expected to see a squad that takes on more of Mazzarri’s style and a strong identity in the upcoming season. “I’m as enthusiastic as I was on my first day at the club,” he continued. “You know what my teams are about: they have a battling spirit, a soul, an identity and they always want more. That’s what we’re aiming for and we’re working in that direction.”
Mazzarri finally answered the question that had caused so much speculation relating to the captains armband. “The captain of a team is someone who leads by example. Ranocchia is a lad who’s got what it takes for the job. A captain must be professional, someone the others can look to.”
Mazzarri then moved on to questions regarding the tactics for the upcoming season, as well as some of the personnel in relation to the tactical methodology he plans to employ.
Mazzarri said: “Initially we’ll start off with a three-man defence so that Nemanja can get used to it, as he’s never played in such a system before. Then once I have the full squad to work with we’ll focus on four at the back. We’ve seen that often, more than the technical ability a team has, it’s how organised a side is and how well they play together that gets you results. We’re very confident. We’re not setting any limits.”
Mazzarri remarked on Dodò and his usefulness in the upcoming season: he’s one of the four full-backs I’ll use in Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. Hopefully we can stay in them all for as long as possible. ”
When asked about the potential return of Rolando, Mazzarri said: I’d love to have him back here with us.”
When asked about Inter’s search for another striker in the summer mercato, Mazzarri replied: “There are two types of team. Those with a 20-goal man and those where lots of different players chip in. My teams are more likely to be of the second type. It’s often the wide players who get on the score sheet. Hernanes has had years when he’s grabbed plenty. Then there’s Kovacic, who has shown he can be dangerous in attack, as he did against Lazio towards the end of last season.”
Mazzarri then spoke about the confidence the club has shown in him by renewing his contract, as well as his relationship with Inter: “I’m happy the club has chosen me to carry the team forward. I have the right skills to do just that. Today is the start of a new era and our first target, the Europa League qualifier, is already not far off.”
Source: Inter.it