In a lengthy interview with the Brazilian edition of Goal.com Alex Telles weighed in on his experience at Inter so far amongst other topics:
Starting with the great merits of Roberto Mancini in his tactical evolution: “It helps me a lot, I’m realizing that I have grown under this respect and this intensity. Training is always very active, he participates very much, in tactical training he participates and gets the ball. He is always in contact with players and the field, I think it’s because he liked being a player. He is a coach who has confidence in my work and in my potential, I am eternally grateful to him. Mancini is very important to my career, I respect him very much both for his past as a player and as a coach, but also for the respect he has for me.”
Telles returned to the starting line up against Frosinone after five matches on the bench, but the Brazilian makes it clear that he is not annoyed with the tactical decisions: “I am calm, I know that those who are playing are doing well. I will always await the next opportunity to take to the field and give my best for Inter.” Telles also claims to be a player who likes to act in both phases, regardless of the plans: “I like to attack and defend. Even if I like to play as a more offensive full-back, because I like to go forward more often. But Mancini gives me much freedom on the field, regardless of his tactical plans. And we are good, because everyone likes to play. My main characteristics are offensive. I can get through the middle of the opposition’s area well, to create play or provide the winning assist. These have been my characteristics ever since I played in Brazil. But when I arrived in Italy I had realized that I could not only attack. First you have to defend well and win back the ball, and not to run the wrong way as people say. The coaches know that in Brazil football is more offensive, and the defense is not a big concern. But when people come here the thinking changes. In Italy the most important thing is the compactness of the team. To be able to change face.”
On the season objectives: “The quality of this group could make it possible to fight for the scudetto but unfortunately that goal is now too far away. We got a good series of victories in the first round even though many were 1-0. We were at the top, but we knew that the first round does not count for anything. We now need to give our best, we are in a position to win third place which is worth the Champions League. It is the base objective for the team this season, we know that if we can we must try to get there. We have to win, without thinking too much about the opponents. It’s clear that we will always throw an eye towards their results, but the first thing we have to do is our work and we have to do it well.”
Source: FCInterNews.it
