Walter Mazzarri accepts Inter’s draw at Palermo, as “we tried everything to win, but also risked defeat.”

Walter Mazzarri accepts Inter’s draw at Palermo, as “we tried everything to win, but also risked defeat.”

The Nerazzurri were held to a 1-1 result, as Nemanja Vidic’s howler allowed Franco Vazquez to score after three minutes before Mateo Kovacic equalised.

“We were beating a record of clean sheets, but managed to gift a goal within three minutes, so nobody needs to talk about that anymore,” joked Mazzarri on Sky Sport Italia.

“Palermo were pressuring us and we held out, then for half an hour after the restart did everything right except the goal.

“We used up a lot of energy to go for a win and I moved to a four-man defence, but Palermo were fresher and we risked defeat at the end.

“It was a tight game and one incident could send the result one way or the other. I know what I need to tell the lads and where we can improve, but it was tough and I accept the result.

“The Vidic error was like the ball going through a goalkeeper’s legs – it happens once in 100 years. He is a very experienced player, but these things can happen to anyone.

“We pegged Palermo back for long periods and tried everything possible, but were unable to get the goal and could even have lost at the end.

“We are Inter, we have to go to every stadium aiming to win and with that attitude you can risk a defeat too.”

Kovacic was on target again and the 20-year-old Croatia international is fast becoming the most decisive player in the Inter squad.

“He had an injury and didn’t train for three or four days, so he wasn’t sharp at the end and I had to substitute him. He has improved so much this season and is scoring regularly, which he’d never done before.

“I honestly did expect Kovacic to make this step up, as it was only a matter of time. We must all realise that the same players cannot play every three days for 90 minutes at full tempo. We have to all train well and keep mentally and physically alert to share out the resources.”

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