Inter coach Luciano Spalletti spoke with Sky Sport Italia on the disappointing defeat to Tottenham in the Champions League at Wembley which means that team has lost the possibility do decide its own fate, even if Inter should beat PSV.
This because in the event of Inter ending up with the same amount of points as Tottenham, the Londoners will move to the knock-out stage thanks to that away goal in Milan in the first round of the group stage.
Spalletti began by stating that: “We did what we had to do, except for some parts of the game. We are very disappointed with the result but have to play the next match in order to see what will happen. We had a few opportunities right before their goal which we should have taken advantage of. Having difficulty against a team like this is normal and it happens, you are always under pressure. At their goal there were two misinterpreted situations when Sissoko made his run.”
What is the situation with Nainggolan?
“The problems with his ankle is back and I think it will be difficult to see him play against Roma. Even on a muscular level he had some problems and could not run as he is used to. Maybe this is something that I should have foreseen before the game. We lost a substitution but we talked to the doctors and everything was all right.”
Borja Valero had a great game?
“I agree, he did not even suffer from the physicality of the opponents. Maybe he would not have been so fresh if I would have started him.”
Did you suffer physically against Tottenham tonight?
“In my opinion, it depends on the characteristics of the players. They have more players that can handle the ball better, we have to set it up first. We do not have the right characteristics to handle the “dirty” balls, especially when it comes to the guys up front. Those long balls to Kane are difficult, we on the other hand can not play like that, we have to play one or more passes and one reason for that is to not lose too many balls.”
Did you change any plans when you realized Son and Eriksen would start on the bench?
“In the Champions League they have always played a lot, maybe they trust them. But at the end Pocchettino did what everybody does, he put the best possible team on the pitch, depending on the status of each player after previous matches.”
Now all hope is on Barcelona doing what they should?
“I cannot even think of a scenario where Barcelona will not go for the win against Tottenham, they have players like Piqué, Messi and Suarez. I strongly doubt that they do not face every game with the goal of winning.”
