Inter finished strong before the holiday break by defeating Lazio 3-0 at the San Siro and end the 2016 year with 30 points in the table. Third straight league win for the Nerazzurri with Stefano Pioli, who was interviewed by Premium Sport and celebrated the progress of his team:

“Today we played well, it was normal to suffer against the attackers of Lazio, but we played as a team. We have the spirit and with this spirit we can build something positive.”

Banega and Kondogbia?

“From what I have seen from them this week, I was sure of their performance, they are players that only have to find confidence because they have the quality.”

Gabigol?

“I am delighted that he has enthusiasm around him, but I want him to play more concrete and less ‘spectacular’. He is working well, just as his teammates.”

Will Gabigol be loaned out in January?

“There are assessments that we are doing, our first objective is to ‘prune the rose’ and improve this team to bring it up. Above all, we want players who are happy to be in this great team. We have to be proud to be in a big club like Inter, we will go forward with the players that give us guarantees both morally and technically.”

Pioli then spoke about the tactics he used throughout the game:

“We knew that Lazio could get in trouble if we put two players on either side of Biglia. With Perisic and D’Ambrosio we tried to widen the field, sometimes we did and sometimes less. Everyone scarified for the team. We knew that Lazio is very strong and even among the best in Europe. In the first half, we were good and lucky not to concede at the beginning, but then we did well. We are a team with quality, but we know that quality alone does not win games. We missed a little bit, but we were able to puncture their defense. We have a great goalkeeper and it’s normal for him to make these saves.”

The break a good or a bad thing?

“We would have liked to ride this momentum. It would be good to continue on this enthusiasm, but it means that we will spend a peaceful Christmas. In January, there will be important and difficult games, even though the title will be decided only in May.”

Icardi? “He’s a real striker and when he has the chance to score he’s incredible. In the first half he had already moved well widening, while in the second he was an animal! He was in the right situations to hurt the opponent.”

Source: Premium Sport