Mancini: “We are Inter and we always look to be the best”

Roberto Mancini met the press ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A fixture against Hellas Verona at the San Siro in Milano, kick-off scheduled for 20.45 CET.

Do you need to be a fireman to put out the enthusiasm?

“The support is part of football, there is still much to do, the way we haves started the season changes nothing, the squad needs to grow and learn. Of course we  work with more peace.”

Is Melo the bad player that people speak of?

“He was the cleanest player of the match, he made one foul and in a match this can happen.”

How do you respond to those that talk of Inter as boring?

“This goes back a couple of years, even at City they said this, I hope that the final situation is repeated. I heard them saying that since 1992 when the team leading the table was playing poorly. For us this will do.”

Are there similarities between the Inter of today and that of the past, are there similarities with your last Inter team?

“You can not make comparisons, those were winning teams that had won it all.”

Is this match more complicated to prepare for psychologically?

“Discounted matches do not exist, we went to Carpi and it was difficult, the same with Chievo, the only match in which everything seemed normal was the derby because it is obvious that 100% is given. But we must give the maximum in every match, Verona have demonstrated that they are solid and won’t leave much space.”

What are your tactical decisions for Perisic?

“He is playing his role, we brought him for that but there are still some situations he does not understand, he has only been with us for 10 days, so we can’t change many tactical aspects of the squad right now. He plays really well on the wing and that will be very important.”

Is it the moment for Miranda and Ljajic?

“Miranda is well, he trained with he squad, tomorrow morning we will evaluate his condition. Ljajic was to enter on Sunday but then Murillo was hurt. He has extraordinary technical qualities, especially against squads that mostly defend he will be important this season.”

Did you expect such a start?

“We are Inter and we must always look to be the best, I was hoping for a good start, It’s important because it gives motivation and we understand what we can do. It gives awareness but to arrive at the finish in front we must work and do more.”

Has it ever happened that you taken 10 new players and put them straight into the team? Have you put in something of yourself, or are there problems that you have managed to hide well?

“We have brought players where we were defecient or uncovered, we have got young and experienced players, and then we also worked well but like all of the teams we are not yet perfect, we have some problems and gaps and we have to work.”

In regards to the game, doesn’t it bother you to hear that you still don’t play good football?

“I respect everyone’s opinion, but as I said I hear too often the saying that they have won without merit. In the end it is enough to win, and for a top team this will do. Whoever arrives at the finish in the lead are the best.”

What do you think of the controversy that was raised with the continuous change of formations as early as September?

“We are the coaches and we have our reasons, you are the journalists and you do your own assessments. We have chosen this job and we try to do our best, like you.”

Could all this talk of the malice of Melo be heavy on his mind?

“He is a football player like the others, you take and you give, he has the experience to understand. This week there has been much exaggeration and even I can see the fouls, I understand the game and inaccurate things were said.”

The commissioner Bisconti has proposed that both Inter and AC Milan buy the San Siro, what do you think of this?

“This is a question for Bolingbroke and Thohir, not me.”

Could we see Brozovic tomorrow in order to rest someone else?

“Yes, there are 20 and some may rest as I said.”

Without the cups will we see some midweek friendlies?

“The advantage of not playing is that we can rest, we aim to exploit this advantage. Then we will play some friendlies, as always.”

In central midfield there are the untouchables and youngsters such as Gnoukouri, is there a prospect of a transfer is January?

“There are no untouchables, everyone is important, Gnoukouri is very young and still needs a lot of experience, and nothing changes if he doesn’t play as he already is training well which is important. In January we will evaluate if for him it is important to play more. Last year he also played in the first squad, he’s young and he has time, he also has time to improve.”

Is there any possibility of Murillo recovering in time for Sunday?

“Yes, I don’t think it’s serious.”

Verona will not have Toni, will you change your tactical preparation for the match?

“Passing who has the same qualities will play, Toni is a little different, Pazzini is maybe more mobile but this changes little.”

What do you think of Verona?

“A great team, has character, can do well like in the previous year, Mandorlini is good and this will be a tough match, we will have to fight to win.”