Inter caretaker manager Stefano Vecchi insists the squad “doesn’t want to end the season like this” and seeks a reaction against Lazio.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Nerazzurri have lost four in a row and are without a win in seven rounds, fresh from a 2-1 home defeat to Sassuolo.
Inter caretaker manager Stefano Vecchi insists the squad “doesn’t want to end the season like this” and seeks a reaction against Lazio.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Nerazzurri have lost four in a row and are without a win in seven rounds, fresh from a 2-1 home defeat to Sassuolo.
“During the week, the squad gave signals that it doesn’t want to end the season like this,” said Vecchi in his Press conference.
“It was a better week compared to the previous, as the players are getting accustomed to our training methods. In physical terms, the team is doing what I ask, but the difference is in making them try to push beyond their limits.
“At this moment, they cannot accept that extra effort and need to be constantly urged on, pushed forward in every situation and that is a difficult thing to do.
“It can happen that the psychological aspect affects the team and clearly it’s an involuntary reaction. The lads care, but are struggling. It was a bad season, these things can happen. Just look at Leicester City – the same players went from Premier League champions to near-relegation.”
Vecchi is only the caretaker to the end of this campaign, but do Inter need a Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte style boss to get this team in line?
“Considering the squad and the prestige of the club, Inter need the best Coach in the world. Right now I have to try to lead them to the end of the season in the best possible way. We want to bring order and discipline.
“Against Sassuolo I did see the team try to the end. We made a serious mistake that cost us the opening goal, but we did react. It wasn’t easy to play in that environment with the fan protest.
“We’ve got to do more, we are Inter, but right now every game feels difficult. When they lost sight of the Champions League spot, it was as if the world came crashing down around their shoulders.
“Every change of Coach brought different ideas, different choices, so there was no consistency. Inter now need to emerge from this situation with some pride.”
Lazio are in fourth place, but fresh from Wednesday’s 2-0 Coppa Italia Final defeat to Juventus.
“I have to compliment my friend Simone Inzaghi, as he had a great campaign. His side change their tactical set-up from game to game and we sought some solutions to counter them.
“We’ve got to give it more and can’t end the season like this. I tried to fire up the players, bring out their pride and desire to prove themselves, speaking also about their fellow countrymen who have done much better so far.”
Against Sassuolo, the crowd chanted for Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa to be introduced. Is there a chance he could start tomorrow?
“He won’t start, but could come on during the match. He needs to play, but it’s tough because there are some very important players ahead of him. Eder was often left out and he’s a starter for Italy.
“Gabigol is just a lad, he expected a different campaign, but it’s to be expected at his agent.”