As usual, the coach analysed the upcoming match tomorrow night against Lazio at a press conference. The ‘Meazza’ is set to be filled with 50,000 spectators for the match which is of importance to both teams. Here is what Mancini had to say at the press conference:
After a week of dinners and parties, are you concerned about the match tomorrow?
“I’m not worried about the parties, it’s also Christmas. We hope that the concentration has remained, the match will be difficult because Lazio have values”.
The opponents say that Inter are are the favourites.
“I think that Juventus, Napoli and Fiorentina are. Then we’ll see.
If Inter is a 500, what car is Juventus?
“I would say a Mercedes”
Giampaolo is fixed on finishing tomorrow morning, just to not lose focus.
“We think about working, the players depart the next day. It will not be a problem”.
The venture, masterpiece or miracle: what would you call this Scudetto?
“It is never easy to win, but I will not answer this question today. We have another objective, then we’ll see at the end”.
Will the match tomorrow evening will be an opportunity to demonstrate that Inter have made a leap in quality?
“We want to be aggressive from the start, but in the Italian league it is never easy. We have to be perfect to win against Lazio”.
Is this team as close as what you had in mind?
“We still need to improve a lot, but starting from the beginning is different to taking a squad midway through a season”.
The hierarchies of the league have changed.
“Inter was in a position very far away from the standards of this club, even if in difficult moments they should always aim for the top 5 positions”.
The public has been regained: could this be an advantage over the others?
“To achieve an important goal we always want a large audience, other than having to be a great club and team. We want to be in sync, also because it helps to overcome the difficult moments. A healthy environment is fundamental”.
Did you expect a recovery from Juventus in such a short time?
“They got s winning streak, the only group to return to the top. They have been gaining points that they lost in the beginning, a lot has changed, but now the group is united and have returned to the top”.
What has been the greatest satisfaction? And the greatest disappointment?
“The frustration of the meniscus yesterday morning, the satisfaction is being back to the top”.
How many players will leave in January?
“I think nobody”
Could an advantage be that you play less games?
“I think so; it can’t be ruled out”.
What does it mean to have few Italians?
“Even in the past it was like this, but foreigners have played in Italy for a long time”.
Nagatomo said that he wants to stay: do you want to keep him?
“We get on well with him, he is never sad and is always happy. A great professional, who can also play in other positions”.
He’ll stay, therefore, in January?
“He always stays at Appiano (he laughs). He’ll stay in January”.
Can Brozovic now be considered a starter? In January will you still make many phone calls?
“We’re fine as we are. Marcelo has quality, is young and is now starting to be really good. He can score goals, which he previously couldn’t succeed at. He has a high average in matches, he has played like a starter since the beginning”.
Aiming for a good start when you return?
“We hope so, but first we’ll think about tomorrow and the the match against Empoli, which will be very difficult. We also have many away games to play. Of course, beating the average small teams is fundamental”.
How important is the support of the public?
“Always, when the Meazza is full the team gives more”.
Sacchi, Trapattoni, Ancelotti, Lippi and Capello: who has left the biggest mark on Italian football?
“It is not easy to answer, but I think above all it’s Sacchi, the same with Trapattoni. They are all great coaches, maybe the best of the last 40 years. It’s not easy to answer”.
FcIN – Has anyone expressed the desire to leave?
“No, still no one at the moment”.
FcIN – A comment on Mourinhos departure from Chelsea.
“If one wants to be a coach then this risk is always there. It is part of the job, so these things happen. It is part of the path of a coach”.
Did you expect him to leave?
“When things don’t go well the risk is always there, but sincerely I never thought of it. If things go wrong the risk is there”.
Will you tell us 5 starters?
“Miranda, Hnadanovic, Murillo, Medel… the others I do not know. Lazio is very good, despite their difficulties. The current rankings do not represent their true value. I’ll also give you the fifth: Brozovic”.
After a few months of work, are you happy with the summer market?
“There are many factors, I’m happy because the new signings have adapted quickly. However, the season is long”.
Is Calleri already ready for Inter?
“Compared to other youngsters he is different, playing with Boca, but like the others he needs to understand Italian football. Boca is a great”.
Biglia and Candreva: Who could you use at Inter?
“The others are also great, like Anderson. Biglia is fundamental for Lazio, many make the difference. It’s right that they have everyone, it is nice to play against a complete squad”.
Source: FcInterNews.it
