Andrea Stramaccioni has remarked that he prefers having Inter perform well in the big games and not the smaller ones, as opposed to the other way around.
The Nerazzurri have ended Juventus’” data-scaytid=”3″>Juventus’ 49-game unbeaten run this season, won the first Milan derby of the season and most recently they beat Napoli last weekend.
Andrea Stramaccioni has remarked that he prefers having Inter perform well in the big games and not the smaller ones, as opposed to the other way around.
The Nerazzurri have ended Juventus’ 49-game unbeaten run this season, won the first Milan derby of the season and most recently they beat Napoli last weekend.
However, they sit four points behind League leaders Juventus after 16 rounds of action due to an inferior record in games against the smaller sides.
Heading into another big game this weekend away to Lazio” data-scaytid=”6″>Lazio, Stramaccioni has preferred to look on the bright side of what it means.
“I prefer this than the other way around – the feats of strength Inter have managed in the head-to-head clashes have given us the confidence that we can do well,” he told reporters in his pre-match Press conference today.
“The lost points are our regret, but it makes us realise that there is room for improvement. If we had lost to the big teams then it would have been worse.
“To start this project I prefer to have the Inter that have shown what they have so far, this should give us strength.
“Juventus? They have been shown to have more continuity, not only in the results but also in the individuals’ performances, so they are deservedly in front.
“In a direct confrontation we know we can match them, but you have to understand that theirs is a project that is a year older and they have ideal players in every department and alternative options to the same level.
“However, my goal is not Juventus, but Inter. And that is what is on my mind now, tomorrow, against Lazio. We have a very important test to prove that we can have that same consistency.”
The Coach made clear his full respect for the Aquile, who sit in fourth place, four points behind Inter.
“Lazio so far have had a great first half to the season. I remember early scepticism about the appointment of Vladimir Petkovic, but with his work and with the performance of all the players, people have had to think again.
“They can compete with anyone – only in Naples did they suffer a setback, but Lazio are an opponent of the highest level in the Italian championship.”
Stramaccioni was also asked his view on President Massimo Moratti’s hopes of a title push.
“The President has spoken about the things we have discussed together and we both think the same, I do not think that any Coach can say in mid-December that things have gone as well as hoped, that is normal.
“We are happy with what we are working on at the moment and our aim for the future is to do even better. It is an incentive for me, the team, the club, everyone.”
It was put to the 36-year-old again that deploying an attack-minded formation with three up front was a weakness for the Nerazzurri.
“We are talking about this often. I’ve already said that when we used it for four or five games in a row, to play with three strikers is a resource that can be used in any game, but is related to a question of balance.
“I decide how to deploy the team, it is not necessarily that danger is created by the number of attacking players on the pitch. Inter does not have an untouchable starting XI, it has its own structure, it can alter its weapons in attack.
“However, we have shown that we can play, we need to understand at which minute how and against whom.”
Saturday evening’s game will see Stramaccioni become the longest serving Coach at Inter since Jose Mourinho left in 2010.
“Although I am conscious of being the Coach with all the responsibilities that that entails, staying here has been a dream.
“This statistic gives me great pleasure, I didn’t know, I hope I can extend it. For me, even if it is a stable situation, I am very proud to be here.”