Carlo Cancellieri who worked with Roberto Mancini for 11 years, from 2001 – 2012, recently gave an interview exclusively to FCInterNews where he shared his view about his former colleague:
On Sunday night it’s time for the Derby d’Italia, a very important match for both teams.
“From now on all matches will be very important for Inter, but the next round in the Serie A will say a lot as to both the Scudetto race as well as the Champions League race. Against Sampdoria I saw an Inter who are coming back, despite the fact that they only shwoed flashes of what they can do. But the team has great players, there’s no doubt about this. This coming weekend there are many important fixtures like Juventus vs Inter and Fiorentina vs Napoli but Inter don’t go into Juventus Stadium having already lost the match.”
What are your thoughts about this match?
“Inter will produce a result in Torino, I see it like that. If they can win at the Juventus Stadium the team will send a very strong signal to all other competing teams. I can say this with confidence because Inter have already had their negative moment, both with regards to form and results and I think that as we head towards the end of the league Inter has something more in respect fo the other teams. And it begins with the away match on Sunday.”
What brings you to this belief?
“The others will drop and Inter are better from a physical point of view. I’m sure that from march and onwards the team will have something more in terms of energy and fuel in their legs. I know Mancini and Carminati [athletic coach] very well and I cans ay that their work is designed to be at the top in the decisive moments of the season. The training session in Doha was useful from this perspective.”
What do you think about this last period that Mancini has gone through?
“He isn’t nervous like they say. He accused others for some of the results this past month, but I think he’s handled every situation very well. It all began with the argument with Sarri, then the decisions haven’t gone Inter’s way. But Roberto has a skill that many lack in that he is very pragmatic. Everyone goes through negative moments, but the wheel turns and they pass. Today he is described as an average coach whilst Spalletti, whom I respect, is described as the best. Football depends on the results.”
You don’t consider Roma the favorite for the third spot then?
“No, absolutely not. In the end Mancini will get the better of Spalletti, despite the fact that Roma’s potential is higher than Inter’s. This situation with Totti and the lack of playign time for him is a difficult issue for them. A player of Totti’s calibre can still decide football matches. Going back to Inter, if they finish third then the coach has well and truly performed a miracle.”
Do you think that Mancini will leave Inter at the end of the season if they fail to qualify for the Champions League?
“He doesn’t abandon ship and will stay even if they finish outside of the top 3. But this discussion is pointless because Inter will achieve their objective.”
In conclusion, what are your plans for the future?
“I will embark on a new adventure starting next season. I will become a part of a scouting team for a Serie A club but I can’t reveal the name just yet.”
Source: FCInternews.it