Coach Roberto Mancini claims 'even if Inter aren't third, this is still a good season, because we found ourselves'.
The 2-0 over Napoli on Saturday night gave the Nerazzurri a tremendous psychological boost, not least because their direct competitor Roma only managed a draw.
Coach Roberto Mancini claims 'even if Inter aren't third, this is still a good season, because we found ourselves'.
The 2-0 over Napoli on Saturday night gave the Nerazzurri a tremendous psychological boost, not least because their direct competitor Roma only managed a draw.
“I don't know if that was the best Inter of the season,” Mancini told La Domenica Sportiva, looking back on the game. “It was certainly an excellent match, against a great team that is enjoying a great championship. Having beaten them, all the while limiting their goal-scoring opportunities, is already something positive.
“Against Frosinone, and in the previous two months, we lost a lot of points. Sometimes it was in a stupid manner and sometimes it was not deserved, but in any case we lost them.
“Beating Juve and Napoli after that gives you something important psychologically. We'll see what we can do on Wednesday against Genoa, a team that has nothing to lose.
“I have no regrets, not even for the Champions League. We have to wait until the end and see where we are. But I think this season should be considered a positive one, even if we don't reach third place, because Inter finally started finding herself, in terms of finding certainties and the right players.”
Mancini was then asked whether the absence of suspended striker Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli's ranks was decisive for Inter's victory.
“Higuain certainly makes a difference, as he scores one goal per game. This year we played Napoli three times. In the first leg we only suffered in the first half, while in the second half we dominated them, coming close to a draw. In the Coppa Italia, we beat them in Naples.”