Roberto Mancini praised Stevan Jovetic and Assane Gnoukouri after Inter beat Athletic Bilbao, but “we’ll see” for Felipe Melo.
Jovetic fired under the bar and Mauro Icardi’s late header secured the 2-0 friendly victory last night.
“I was satisfied with the performance after we lost too, because in friendlies you alternate good things with less impressive elements, but the result counts only to a certain degree,” said the Coach.
Roberto Mancini praised Stevan Jovetic and Assane Gnoukouri after Inter beat Athletic Bilbao, but “we’ll see” for Felipe Melo.
Jovetic fired under the bar and Mauro Icardi’s late header secured the 2-0 friendly victory last night.
“I was satisfied with the performance after we lost too, because in friendlies you alternate good things with less impressive elements, but the result counts only to a certain degree,” said the Coach.
“Right now we are laying the foundations for an entire year of work. It’s only natural to lack sharpness at this stage. Now we’re getting a little more confident playing together.
“Jovetic is lagging behind in his fitness levels and needs to find form, as everyone does. We know what he can give us and the kind of player he is.”
Jo-Jo isn’t the last purchase on the transfer market, as Melo was dropped by Galatasaray.
“We are working and hope to conclude the summer session in the best way. Will Felipe Melo arrive? We’ll see…”
In the meantime, Mancini points out Inter have a midfield star of the future already.
“If Gnoukouri played for Porto, they’d sell him for €35m. He is young and needs to mature, but he has the quality.”
Mateo Kovacic and Geoffrey Kondogbia were ruled out by minor injuries, though the Coach assured “we didn’t want to take any risks.”