MANCINI: "A VERY DIFFICULT EUROPEAN TIE"
Sunday, 20 February 2005 22:40:08
MILAN - Roberto Mancini replied to questions from journalists, pundits and fans during Telenova programme Nova Stadio on Sunday:
What happened last night?
"The team was doing well, unfortunately it retreated too much. But up until their goal we hadn't given away practically anything. We're disappointed because all our defenders have played very well in recent matches. I'd say yesterday's goal was an accident. We wanted to get to the big matches like next Sunday's one less than ten points off the top and we almost did it. But it all depends on us. We still believe. We must win more than two games in a row and see what happens in the next five to six matches."
Let's analyse the goal conceded in the final minutes...
"We should have stopped the move before their shot from outside the area. We should have been there. After, things happened that we could no longer avoid."
A question about the defence. You have Nicolas Burdisso in the squad. Why isn't he playing?
"I agree with you about Burdisso. At the start Nicolas had to spend a month away with the Olympics team and he didn't work much with us. I think a young player needs to get to know our football well. He has enormous qualities and he will be very important for Inter's future."
How much do you regret not having taken advantage of yesterday's chance to close the gap in the table?
"Excluding the initial series of draws, the real regret is now because of the draws at home to Chievo and away to Parma and Udinese when the team has been doing well for two months. Victories in these matches would have opened up the championship. We're disappointed about these last three draws. With at least two victories out of three everything would have been wide open. Eleven points are a lot at this stage, but there are still thirteen matches to go until the end and every team has difficulties."
Do you think you have made any mistakes?
"When you're required to make decisions you can also make mistakes."
How far is this Inter from being the one you had in mind when you arrived in Milan?
"I think and see that the team has changed in some aspects. Fifteen draws have their significance, but so do thirty-seven matches without defeat. Perhaps I would have willingly sacrificed this invincibility for a few extra wins. But there's no longer the mentality to boot the ball upfield and see what happens."
How decisive would Martins have been last night? And how influential could Kily González be in the derby?
"Last night's match would have been ideal for him. Especially at the end, when his speed and unpredictability could have been devastating. But he wasn't well. We're hoping he'll recover in time for Wednes- As far as Kily is concerned, he's looking for his best form and match fitness."
Why are you continuing to play with Stankovic?
"Because he's a great player. I think he still has to show everything he has in terms of technical and physical value, which is enormous. I have known him for many years. Sometimes he doesn't manage to express his full potential. But for me he remains a central midifelder, but I have had to play him on the wings, making him change position often, and he hasn't benefited from this."
How did you arrive at the decision to field Cambiasso in a holding midfield role?
"Because at the start we had suffered in a few matches because of the lack of adequate cover in the middle of the pitch. He did well when we fielded a diamond formation in midfield in Brussels and since then he has become important for us."
What can you tell us about van der Meyde?
"He's a great player. He has all the qualities of a fantastic player. I have known him for six months. Perhaps he has lost a bit of confidence compared with the start because he has played less, but the fact that he's the only pure winger should encourage him to take better advantage of this chance."
Let's move on to Adriano, who seems to be having a bit of a crisis...
"He has just come back from injury. He just has to get his condition back and he can only do that by playing. And he could also miss a few matches, like everyone else. Perhaps we're used to Adriano scoring one or two goals a game, and it's impossible to keep this up. But I think this situation is normal."
But it you who makes him play so wide?
"It's his way of playing. A striker goes wide in search of spaces. He does it also to take advantage of his talents in one-on-one situations. Being a left-footed player, it's normal for him to move more to the left than the right."
They say that any other coach at eleven points off the top of the table wouldn't have lasted as long as you on the Inter bench...
"I have never taken this into consideration. .rt from the fewer points, I think the team has done very well since mid-December. Conclusions will be drawn at the end only."
Why has Davids played so little?
".rt from the physical problems that have affected Davids' performance, I will ask you a question. If Davids plays someone else has to be left out. You can't play in twelve, can you?"
And Recoba?
"I greatly respect Recoba. He's enormously talented."
Can you tell us the name of a player you would willingly ask Moratti for, and who you feel could be decisive to win a Scudetto?
"It's a simple reply... Totti is an extraordinary player, but it would be difficult to get him because of how important he is for Roma. Totti is a player who could change any team."
What have been the best and worst moments of these first six months?
"There hasn't been one best moment. I am very happy to be at Inter, every - I'm sure we will achieve great success."
Was your idea of Inter from the outside different from the one you have now?
"It's obvious that you get to know the players better by working with them every day, but the evaluations I made on the outside were substantially confirmed by the facts. I think that the team has immediately tried to change its attitude."
Do you think Inter have less political influence than Milan and Juventus?
"I wouldn't know... But Moggi's recent jokes have made me laugh."
How's the team ahead of the Champions League trip to Porto?
"I'd say the team is well, both physically and psychologically. We're aware of the potential traps in a round that everyone is saying is simple. I think it's a very difficult last sixteen tie with the European and world champions, who have a very big squad in which the January signings have fitted in very well. We will have to play a great match to get through the round."
