Fresh from a good point obtained in the last minute at the San Paolo against Napoli, Inter will be back on the field tomorrow night (kick-off 19.00) at the Volkswagen Arena to face Wolfsburg in the first match in the last-16 of Europa League. The Nerazzurri seek a victory to continue the pursuit of the dream Champions League, while Wolfsburg comes from a defeat against Augsburg 1-0 in the championship which ended a streak that lasted since November 22.

Here are the words of the Inter coach, Roberto Mancini, on the eve of the match against the Germans led by Dieter Hecking.

In Wolfsburg there is much talk of Bas Dost, what do you think of him?
“Wolfsburg is not only Dost, but it is a very good team, it is enough to see that they are second in the Bundesliga, Dost is in an excellent moment, scores many goals, but it is all of Wolfsburg that is very strong.”

What scares you the most about Wolfsburg, which are the most dangerous players and what will Inter need to do?
“Wolfsburg is a complete team, it does not have many weaknesses. It is not because of luck they are second in the Bundesliga. It will not be an easy match, Inter must be almost perfect for a positive result and we must think about the fact that the match will be played over 180 minutes.”

Given the international experience of Inter, is the emblem an important component?
“The emblem counts up to a certain point. What counts is the moment and the players who enter the field. Our players are experienced, used to playing games at this level. It is a match that has to be managed very carefully, trying to win it. If we are good at playing it carefully it will be perfect.”

Inter came out well from the match in Naples. A player, however, appeared to be in pieces morally, Juan Jesus. Will you play him in tomorrow’s match as well?
“Juan Jesus must feel comfortable, he has quality. Sometimes you make mistakes, it can happen, but the great thing about football is that after three days you go back to playing and you can redeem the previous performance… If you play (laughs, ed).”

How far can the team go, what is the goal you are trying to achieve?
“At the moment we are seeking the right path, we have improved. It will take months, but next year we will definitely fight for the title. Today we are here, we will do our best to go through but we know that we face a very strong match.”

The coach and players of Wolfsburg have admitted to being happy to face you and that you have weaknesses. Are you using this to try to stimulate the players?
“Players do not need to be stimulated, is is the last-16 and will give their best to go through. If the players of Wolfsburg are happy to meet us it is also because Inter is a club with a great history and emblem. This brings many things with it.”

Another great stadium and great atmosphere. It will raise the technical level of the team. How important is this match to the growth of the team?
“In terms of atmosphere I do not think you can beat Glasgow. Surely, tomorrow night the stadium will be full and there will be a great atmosphere. We are Inter, we are a great team, it is true that at this time we have some weaknesses, but going through would give us great confidence.”

Which Wolfsburg players would fit for Inter in the future?
“Wolfsburg has grown in recent years. They have got good players, young, important. They’re all good players, not only the starters but the whole squad is made up of good players who could well play in any team in Italy, even the big teams.”

Will the Inter against Napoli be enough tomorrow night?
“I do not think the Inter against Napoli will be enough to do well tomorrow night. It takes the Inter against Napoli, Cagliari, and many other Inters. We have to be good at not conceding much. We willll have to be very good at thinking, we should be careful about our defensive plan, stick with different players and win if there will be an opportunity, but we think that it is a match that is played over 180 minutes.”

What excites you and what worries you about this game? 
“I think that in the draw we got one of the toughest teams, it’s up to us to prove to be worthy. Wolfsburg can bring so many pitfalls, the boys know they will have to play a great match to go through, but over 180 minutes anything can happen.”

Source: fcinternews.it