Esteban Cambiasso admits Inter “can only blame ourselves” if their Europa League season starts tomorrow against Hajduk Split.
The Nerazzurri’s dismal Serie A campaign means they enter the Third Qualifying Round on August 2 and 9, kick-off 19.45 UK time.
Esteban Cambiasso admits Inter “can only blame ourselves” if their Europa League season starts tomorrow against Hajduk Split.
The Nerazzurri’s dismal Serie A campaign means they enter the Third Qualifying Round on August 2 and 9, kick-off 19.45 UK time.
“We can only blame ourselves for being in this situation,” confessed Cambiasso in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“This match is the consequence of what happened last season. In previous years we played in August for the European Super Cup, this time for the Europa League qualifiers. Inter can afford a year like this, but only one year.
“The biggest dangers in this preliminary round are the heat and what seems to be a pretty bad pitch in Split. Hajduk will also have remarkable enthusiasm, as it’s a historic match for them.”
There are also fears starting the campaign so early will damage Inter’s form in Serie A.
“Let’s not get too dramatic, as last year Udinese” data-scaytid=”48″>Udinese finished third after playing in the Champions League preliminary round. If we see problems that aren’t really there, then we could risk convincing ourselves the issues exist.”
This is also the first full season under Coach Andrea Stramaccioni, who was promoted from the Primavera youth team four months ago.
“Stramaccioni has charisma,” continued Cambiasso. “This created a sense of trust and he was quickly absorbed into the locker room as someone who really belonged at Inter.”