Time to put the loss in the league vs Lazio behind Inter as the serie A starts over on Wednesday against Empoli. The press conference began with Inter’s director of communication Robert Faulkner announcing the renewal of Samir Handanovic’s contract until 2019.
Was this what you wanted?
Handanovic: “When both parties want to extend there are no problems, this is what I wanted.”
Was the trip to Doha positive?
Handanovic: “The climate in Qatar was good, so were the pitches and we were together for 5 days which is important. We will see what the pitch will say.”
Is Empoli the worst team to face now?
Mancini: “This is usually a tough period; we need to play real well tomorrow. Empoli are playing very well and it will be a tough game.”
Do you want to beat the saved penalty record?
Handanovic: “I don’t think about it, it needs to be something natural.”
Do you feel particular pressure?
Mancini: “There are many teams close, the table changes every week. The important thing is to stay in the top, we have earned to be first and we need to continue like this.”
Why have you sometimes conceded goals right away?
Handanovic: “I think it is something that can happen to everyone, but we need to be careful not to lose our focus.”
What is missing for this team to really compete for the scudetto?
Mancini: “I think it is too early to talk about it, there is still a lot to go. Sometimes you can make mistakes, we need to improve some things still to stay in the top.”
The first thing to improve?
Mancini: “We need to always give everything in every game, they all want to beat us. So we need to maintain the focus for the full 90 minutes.”
FcIN: If it were up to you, would you renew the contracts of Palacio and Nagatomo?
Mancini: “They are extraordinary professionals, so were it up to me I would say yes.”
What has changed in the defensive phase?
Handanovic: “The general layout, but I do not want to talk about last season.”
Lots of changes or a gradual arrival at the starting eleven, what is your view on it?
Mancini: “All have given their maximum; if this is the way then it is good. Should there then be a base in the squad that could do well there would be no problems. I want to add something else, last year was not the fault of singular players, but everybody’s.”
A comment on the squad right now and about the transfer window that just opened.
Mancini: “At the beginning we thought that a lot of teams were stronger than us. All the lads have done well so far, but if someone should ask to leave it would be a different discussion. To make this team better you would need money, but with the Financial Fair Play we can’t move. It seems difficult to me to spend a lot of money for great players.”
Could Brozovic be sacrificed? What do you think about the fact that he was pulled over while driving under the influence (alcohol)?
Mancini: “He is doing great, I think that should he continue like this he will become one of the best midfielders out there. We do not want to sell him, not even if a big offer comes. He needs to keep working, but he has incredible qualities. As for the second question, the holidays are for everyone. He did not have a high blood alcohol level and nothing happened.”
Did anyone ask to be sold?
Mancini: “No, nobody. As of now, no changes will happen.”
Could you reveal some starters for tomorrow?
Mancini: “Handanovic, Miranda, Murillo, Medel and Ljajic.”
What do you think about the sacking of Benitez? Is it right to give the team to Zidane?
Mancini: “It is always sad when a colleague gets fired. Zinedine on the hand could become a great coach. But he has only just begun.”
Source: fcinternews.it and inter.it
