Inter will take on Atalanta in the season opener at the San Siro. Today, Roberto Mancini gave his pressconference ahead of the match:
Are Inter ready to compete for the Scudetto?
“This not an easy question to answer. We will give our all and see what we can get. It will depend us and our form. We have to know that we are Inter, and we must play well.”
Do the mercato rumors ever distract you?
“It is your job as journalists to do your job. We are only focusing on the match tomorrow.”
At the moment is the team complete?
“The team is competitive. The work of last season will be carried over. We have created a platform to success, and if it works well, the results will come. As I have said before, it is all up to us.”
Has Hernanes recovered? Will Jovetic partner Icardi in attack?
“Hernanes is feeling good. We will decide who will play in attack tomorrow.”
How do you rate the other strong sides in the league?
“We are observing them, and in the end we will see where they end up. Everyone begins with a dream, and no one thinks about achieving the bare minimum. We all start level, then we will see what happens. It is hard to predict what will happen today.”
You have worked a lot to improve the defense. Do you think that the difficulties in the past will affect the side?
“Everyone has given their best. If we make mistakes, then the whole team is at fault. Now we have four central defenders, and we will see who will play. Miranda and Murillo need to play together more to create a strong partnership. They could play tomorrow.”
Who will arrive if Perisic does not?
“I do not know. I will talk to Ausilio about this?”
Which new arrival has settled in the best so far?
Some players arrived 40 days ago, some 20, and some 10. They need time to settle in to their new surroundings. We have to work hard in order to ensure that they can. As I have said before, it takes time to learn new things. Now it is difficult for them to show their qualities.”
Based on your previous experiences, how important are the preseason results?
“The results do not matter. Friendlies serve the purpose of getting the players in shape, and they help us prepare for the season. Sometimes when you are focusing on team shape, you do not need to focus on the end result. I have always done that, and the results do not matter. The match tomorrow is important. The team is currently at 60%.”
Do you think that this team will have success?
“It is all down to the players. I know Inter well. Throughout the years, I have built winning teams, but I know that it takes time and a lot of hard work. I am capable of doing a lot in this league.”
Kovacic left, Kondogbia arrived. What changed your mind?
“There is nothing ‘psychological’ about these moves. At the time we needed a purchase. I am sorry for Mateo. No one wanted to sell him, but there were other reasons why we did. Financial Fair play was one of them.”
Are any pieces still missing?
“I asked for 8 players. I am OK if we end up bringing in 9-10!”
Why did you sell Shaqiri?
“For the same reason Kovacic left. We had faith in him, and I wish him well. He needs time.”
How will the midfield look?
“Someone will play as a regista. Either Gnoukouri or Medel.”
What do you want to see from this Inter?
“I want to see the team giving 100%, which is what the coach expects. We need to compete from the start to the finish. It will be very difficult for us at certain stages.”
What does the future hold for Santon and D’Ambrosio?
“They are available for us. Two fullbacks will play tomorrow. They are good players, and we will use them tomorrow.”
What do you have to say about Montoya’s difficulties in preseason?
“No-one has ever doubted Montoya. Whoever said so was misleading and wrong.”
Can Medel play in the center of midfield?
“Absolutely. He is very versatile, and he can play in this position.”
It seems as if the sale of Shaqiri shows that there is a problem with your project.
“You are asking yourself too many questions. You should probably think before you ask. We had confidence in Shaqiri, but things changed when July came around. We needed to make room for other arrivals. We reluctantly sold Kovacic and Shaqiri, but it is not true that they were sudden departures. They brought in revenue, and we must comply with UEFA. We were forced to sell Shaqiri. The project had nothing to do with it. I hope everyone has a great season.”
Source: FcInternews.it
his words shows like there was some trouble, Mancio seems like he don’t like some players so he sold them-
Gotcha Mancio, get ready to follow Bielsa in Marseille. Lol
Prepare for another point loss in next 10 games coz what we’ll about to see were try and error games in real match..
Again mancini well unprepared…
And it came from the highest paid coach in Serie A
maybe he just incompetent coach anymore, or maybe he has gone mad?? im worried.. really..
That’s him. Never changed.
i read it.. cause i thought maybe mancini has changed, maybe i was wrong about last season, no i want to slap him silly, 60% after over 40 days of training and eventful preseason, lying about Shaqiri and Kovacic… getting angry with reporter only showed his stupidity and personal issues with shaqiri..
Roma with Giant enforcement almost lost today.. what is it gonna be for mancini tomorrow?
I won’t give much judgement onto the first few matches, alot of the players need time to adapt. I hope by end September inter will start with a winning streak.
We cant afford it..
60%? 60 bloody percent 1 day before our first game, that’s just brilliant. Better have 4 training sessions today then. Give the tired players some energy gel or redbull or something.
I love how the reporter asking the last question, is a tricky one and mancini got into his trap.
Mancini anger shows that something emotional, I think there is something hidden regarding Shaq departures.
Do you remember the first season in inter, he fight with inter fans, after labelling him mister X (mister draw).
The last season before he sack and mou arrival, he also have some problem with fans.
Don’t really expect to much from him, but just keep support inter in positive way. Forza inter!
of course there is, just read Thohir’s thoughts on Shaqiri’s transfer;
“He was not in accord with Mancini and his strategies. The sale of him,
just like that of Kovacic, was done to balance the budget.”
that is contradiction right there
“I asked for 8 players. I am OK if we end up bringing in 9-10!”
oh, you would be OK? and what would satisfy you? Man. City’s roster and Mansour sheikh’s wallet?
For God’s sake if it’s because of the FFP, you can sell another players!!!! Rano, Guarin, Nagatomo, Andreolli, Scheloto, Taider, D’Ambrosio, Vidic,
If there are any CONCRETE suitors and is not for peanuts, they will go. Matter of fact, there are NONE!
Mancini already replied to that indirectly!
He said: “For the same reason Kovacic left. We had faith in him, and I wish him well. He needs time.”
He meant to say that though we had faith in Kovacic, but he needs time
nobody wants most of them
Its not nobody want, even Napoli wan JJ but you know, no players want to go. What the hell happen?
Its not nobody want, even Napoli wan JJ but you know, no players want to go. What the hell happen?
Lol mancini got pissed in the end.
And he basically just said that he needs 3 more players:)