Inter assistant coach Cristian Stellini insisted the Nerazzurri’s players are not bothered by the club’s off-field issues after tonight’s 2-0 win at Fiorentina.

Nicolo Barella and Ivan Perisic scored in each half to secure three vital points for Antonio Conte’s side at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The Nerazzurri have now moved to the top of the Serie A table, at least temporarily, after a week which has been dominated by speculation surrounding the future of the club and owners Suning’s plans to potentially sell Inter.

“We’re thinking about matters on the pitch, about the games and about getting points,” Stellini told Sky Sport Italia in his post-match interview.

“There are lots of difficulties but also two trophies to win, we are focused on the pitch.

“We’re not looking to put pressure on our Serie A rivals by winning games, we’re just thinking about ourselves.

“It wasn’t easy for us to play in Florence three days after our last match, because games like this are always difficult, especially with only two days of recovery time.

“I’m satisfied, we created a lot of chances and our forwards combined well together by bringing their teammates into play a lot.

“This was the performance we expected from them.”

Stellini proceeded to discuss Inter’s team spirit and again stressed how difficult it had been to play so soon after their 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Juventus on Tuesday.

“The team is very cooperative and generous now,” he argued.

“Sometimes too much generosity leads some players to lose control, but today they were very determined and precise.

“It was not easy playing after three days.”

Stellini was then asked how difficult it was to manage while Conte was in the stands, with the Inter boss serving the second game of his two-match ban tonight.

“Someone with his charisma will always find it difficult to watch the game from a distance,” Stellini explained.

“You suffer more when you are away from the touchline, but for us Conte’s advice and his contribution is very important.

“It is not difficult at all to take his place though on the touchline, he always says important things to us.

“Conte is our coach and we must follow him.”

Next, Stellini spoke on goal-scorer Perisic and what the Croatian needed to do in order to become a more complete wing-back.

“This year he has sacrificed himself a lot in a role, but now he’s becoming a key player in the opposition’s half,” he said of the 32-year-old.

“He is a valuable player for the contribution he gives, we are satisfied with what he is doing.

“We must never look back, but always forward.

“He must do what is asked of him, without having any regrets.”

Stellini was then asked whether Barella could become a similar midfielder to Conte himself, responding: “I hope so for his sake…

“Barella is improving like Lautaro Martinez and some other guys.

“The next step for him would be to score a few more goals with his head.”

In conclusion, Stellini addressed Roberto Gagliardini’s lack of game time lately.

“We have all our midfielders available and we rotate accordingly,” he added.

“Gagliardini is playing a fair bit, he has to adapt because he needs a lot of consistency.

“Tonight he made an important contribution when he came on during the game, he participated in the game and made us dangerous on the left-hand side.”