frank de boer

Before tomorrows game against Roma, Inter coach Frank De Boer had the following to say on the press conference:

You start every game with a handicap (conceding a goal), are you preoccupied with that? “We have talked about this, for me we can’t have this attitude like we had against Sparta Prague. This is the only problem, we have to start playing when the referee starts the game. We have to start think about the game at least the day before. We have to concentrate on the match, when it starts it’s already to late. We have to change that. Against Roma it’s easy to find the right attitude because it’s a big match. I want to see this kind of concentration against every team, not only the big ones.”

Is it possible to repeat the success against Roma? Against Juventus you also came from a poor performance in Europa League. “Sure, it’s possible. All my players are ready. I just have to decide of who’s playing, everybody is ready to take the pitch.”

What do you have to say about Roma and Totti? “Roma is a very strong team in every part of the pitch and have quality players. A good team, we need to have the right attitude otherwise it’ll be very hard. They have a lot of players that can make the difference in every moment. For me Totti is an exceptionell player, always capable of scoring from almost nothing. It’ll be hard to mark him, also because he has a lot of experience. When he comes on, Romas way of playing changes.”

What is the status of Joao Mario? How will you manage Brozovic and Kondogbia? “They are all well. Joao Mario is working hard, also Brozovic. We have a lot of players that are ready to play. Now it’s up to me to decide.”

Have you understood everything that is being written about you and the team in media, do you think the criticism has been to hard? “I don’t have any problem with the media, for me it’s always the same. When things aren’t going well and the media criticise us it’s not a problem. We have our philosophy and we still need some time. The direction is the right one. Against Sparta Prague things didn’t go well but in practice and in other games they did.”

Is Ansaldi ready to play 90 minutes? “90 minutes will be tough, he hasn’t played every game. But he is ready to take the pitch and will be called up for tomorrows game.”

After the blackout against Sparta Prague, have you been satisfied with how the players responded to that? “I always talk to the players to make them improve, for me it’s not a problem if one of them makes mistakes. But they must understand that we have to change things and if their minds are open to that it’s a good thing. I always listen to the players and when they have a good argument I accept what they have to say.”

Who is in most need of three points? “I think both teams want to win both in the championship and in the European cups, for me we are talking about two great teams both with great potential. It’s just a matter of time to arrive at the desired level. Roma is a team that can beat anyone.”

What kind of relationship do you have with Massimo Moratti who could come back to the organisation? “It’s the first time I hear that he’s thinking about coming back. For me it’s not important at the moment since I’m preparing for an important match for us. At the moment I can do without speculations.”

The fans are disappointed of how Brozovic has been communicating in social media, what do you think about that? “It’s not only Brozovic, all my players have to understand that social media is important but also dangerous. They have to learn in what situations you can use Instagram and Facebook. This is not the time to use them in my opinion. This is also a question for the club but it’s a discussion that concerns everyone. For example a goalkeeper in Ajax published a photo during halftime and that is not right. At moments like this you have to make a decision, you have to direct all your focus on the match”

Is there any risk that the group will split into two, starting players and substitutes/reserves? “We always want to win and in certain moments I have to take a decision that is the best one for the team. I have to verify during practice how their physical status is and at this moment they are not ready to play three games in a row. I have to be very careful, I’m thinking of Joao Mario who hurt himself out of practically nothing. In January every player will be ready to play three games in a row.”