pioli

First pre-game press conference for Stefano Pioli, today with Mauro Icardi as his side-kick. This is what they both had to say about Sunday’s clash:

What are your feelings? “The atmosphere is the right one, I’m proud of the boys who have shown the right attitude. That they have technical skills I already knew. The group is professional, always pay attention and my feelings are positive. In fact, last night I felt almost peaceful. Thanks to the work done so far, in one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, leading a professional group with great skills and great potential, supported by the club and the fans, I feel calm and confident.”

Which buttons have you pushed to get the emotional motivation? “I think that on Sunday, but also always, we have to play the game with extreme focus and intensity. With a cool head and a warm heart. I have worked on this aspect and in very few days I’ve tried to convey my passion and my trust in them. The responses I received are positive. Now we have to transfer the work done to the pitch.”

How are the South Americans? Do you think the players that didn’t get the international call are more useful? “I think they are well mentally and when you are in a good place mentally that exceeds any physical problems. But I think there is enough room to recover before Sunday’s game. We still have two more sessions were all the players will participate. The choices I have to make are easy, anyone who enters the pitch on Sunday will be ready.”

Icardi doesn’t get as many open passes as he should, what do you think about that? “Three or four chances are not few, I think the team should support the entire offensive phase and have more players in the opposing area. We’re working on that and we have the right players to achieve that. Being unpredictable must be a reference point for us.”

With such a short time to prepare you have to work at a more personal level? “The work was done with quality and attention , no doubt about that. I have the experience to understand certain situations. Of course my contribution will be important, but what counts is to put what we have on the pitch. I have seen desire to show that we are Inter and that we want to get back to where we belong. The derby is a perfect opportunity for that and we want to take advantage of it.”

Have you noticed any difference from managing a derby in Rome compared to Milan? “Right now I only focus on transferring my ideas and to motivate the players, then I’ll pass judgement on the difference between the two derbys. We really look forward to playing this game, this is a big thing for us, that’s why there is only one objective in our minds. But the derby is the derby and we want to do everything to make it ours.”

Have you acted more from a physical or a psychological point of view? “We have worked from both those starting points. In two weeks we have worked as hard as possible. I ‘ve always believed that it is the head that controls the legs and the players are in the right spot for a match as important as this. We have to stay in the game, thinking that every ball can be decisive and play with focus and determination. The teams that can win games are the teams that knows how to get passed difficult periods. This will happen for Inter but right now it’s all about acting more as a team and make one goal more than the opponent.

If you look at Brozovic, do you think he can do for Inter what Parolo has done for Lazio? “I think they have the same characteristics, but it also depends on the balance of the team. Brozovic is dynamic, aggressive and have technical skills. He can act as a complete midfielder playing both phases of the game.”

Is one of the reasons that you sleep well at night that Inter against Juventus were able to give its best? “Yes, but I feel calm because everything is in the right place. The team pay attention and feel the responsibility, the club supports us in every way possible, the fans have great passion and we are fully equipped to give our best on the pitch.”

After meeting the group, what do you think is missing? “I think we’re at a time when we need to think as little as possible on the past and focus on the future. The only thing that matters is what we do on Sunday and onwards. We have many positive situations, a team that is professional and responsible.”

Is there a plan to focus more on Jovetic? In what position? “I think Jovetic has excellent qualities as well as the rest of the team. I make my choices based on the daily work, the strategy and the opponents. Those who work well will get their chance, Jovetic is working well.”

Beccalossi (former Inter player, 78-84) said that in a game like the derby you have to dare more. On Sunday, can Inter start with two strikers? “I think we have to play with passion, it’s not any kind of jersey we put on. Inter isn’t a team like everybody else, it’s a team with passion. When you play a derby you have to expect something more, but the shirt is always prestigious. My job is to transfer the desire to take the pitch and give everything you have, plus a little more. This we have to do on Sunday, but also in the rest of the games and this is what counts not the formation and who plays where. I don’t want a perfect team, I want a team that bring their soul to the pitch. I never thought that it’s the number of strikers that decides the offensive phase of a team, instead I’m open for multiple solutions on how to make my team hurt the opponent. I have many good strikers, now I just have to think of how I can use them to throw punches at the opponent.”

What do you think of Montella’s Milan? “I think they have found a good solidity, they defend in a block and they have offensive solutions with good players in one-on-one situations. Montella has done well transferring his philosophy to the team, but I think we can hurt them and put them in difficulty.”