Mazzarri’s press conference: “Guarin will not be called, Thohir’s return positive”

During the press conference ahead of Inter’s match against Catania, Inter coach Walter Mazzarri answered questions from reporters in the conference room at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti in Appiano Gentile.

Mister, are you surprised by Catania’s performance this season?

“I believe that Catania have had problems, but we need to only focus on ourselves. Serie A is special, they have changed their coach but I thought that maybe they would have had a higher position in the table. We have to think about getting a turningpoint, we have to get the points. We must try to be cynical and find episodes that are favorable to us.”

The following matches are important.

“They are important, but I only think about tomorrow’s match and we must try in every way to get three points. The other upcoming games will, ironically, be less difficult than those against the smaller teams. I like to play against teams that are playing a more open football and I hope as always that we can make a good performance. The points we’re missing is because of episodes.”

What should you do to integrate Guarin again?

“Tomorrow he will not be called because all my energy has been spent to get my team to focus solely on the pitch, without thinking of anything else. How we would have thought if nothing had happened? Had we gone to meet Juventus without motivation? The rivalry has always been there, regardless of the latest developments. The players will be charged. The sale was supported by me? I don’t comment on the transfer market.”

Did Guarin’s performance against Genoa affect this deal?

“Genoa is in the past, no colleague of mine would even have talked about it during the press conference. I’m here to talk about Catania.”

How difficult has it been to isolate the team from the events of this week?

“I can tell you how I have faced the week with my players. I analyzed the match against Genoa, assured myself of the fact that the group was thinking like me, while attempting to isolate ourselves from everything, not reading newspapers, but not because of a lack of respect for you but for the sake of the concentration. When we analyzed Genoa, I tried to explain to them that they have to raise their attention and try to put all this into practice in tomorrow’s match against Catania. I want a match that will be our redemption, and I’m confident that we will finish the season in a good way, because I see belief in everyone.”

Have you been able to understand the cause of the defensive mistakes? Is that a reason that might cause you to leave at the end of the season?

“I think about Catania, not the future. You say ‘stupid mistakes’ but when I, have looked at them with my staff, I have realized that we lost in Genoa because of seemingly minor mistakes, but during this period we’re paying a higher price. Today, we get to pay for everything, that’s why I insist that we must be more careful, accurate, and more cynical, it should help.”

Aside from the team’s mistakes, the two players who have been disappointments during this period, Alvarez and Palacio: how will they get back to the normal levels?

“When you play 3-4-1-2 it changes the mechanisms, but they have adapted to play in both formations, which also change during games in progress.”

Without going into details, how important is Thohir’s return?

“It is entirely positive, internally we are constantly in touch with him. Everybody has confidence in each other, it is normal that his presence is important and I as the coach must convey his message to the team. I have always handled the players together with the club and taken my responsibility, just as I did in the beginning of the season. I have tried to explain to the guys that everyone at Pinetina are people who can do well.”

Can Icardi be this year’s January signing? Are you happy that the transfer market will soon be over?

“I long for it to end. Regarding Icardi I have unfortunately never had the opportunity to train him two weeks in a row. He has had a number of injuries that has always stopped him, but when he has played, he has done well, as in the game against Juventus. I must consider whether he should be called or not.”

How do you see the missed scoring chances?

“I’ve also been a player and in Napoli there were also problems with being unselfish. I see if someone is selfish or not, but here everyone are friends, and after analyzing it all I can say that there are no problems with selfishness. This way, we return to the concept of ‘episode’, although I didn’t like the performances against Parma and Sampdoria.”

A perfect opportunity for Kovacic? Are the preparations a reason for the team’s less good results?

“We are very careful and experienced, if it’s not visible on the field, I look at everything, including the private lives. We’ve done all sorts of tests and Pondrelli told me that the results were very positive. Still, in Genoa we allowed very little and created a lot; in an arena where we usually have a hard time. I think we are in good shape, we just need some clarity and it has nothing to do with patterns or tactics.”

Hard work: does that reflect your idea and your career?

“I’ve always worked hard, those who know me also know that I really work 24 hours out of 24. I never relaxes regardless of the outcome. I always search for the win, because then I get at least 10-12 hours of peace, and the quality of work should be evaluated by others.”

How does Milito fit into the team and how is his form?

“I would say very good, but it’s obvious that he needs to play to regain his usual brilliance. He can only get better.”

Can Rubén Botta get more space?

“I would say yes, he is a exceptional player. I see him grow and he will start on the bench and, if necessary, he can be useful.”

During the week Curva Nord dedicated a message that they have witnessed the good in your work, but on the other hand questioned the developments in the club’s management. What do you expect from the fans?

“Inter’s public is attentive, balanced and want Inter’s best and they understand the current situation. I ask them always, in these cases, not to be heard if it is something that’s not going well in the game because the players can give 110 if they get help but only 90 if they don’t get it and instead are contested. Time is in any way important: don’t forget that this step was taken when the league was in progress and then we have to be patient, try to implement this season in the best way and that includes the fans who are the core of this sport.”

Source: fcinternews.it