Frank de Boer is “used to the pressure” at Inter and assures they have “respect but no fear” for Sunday’s opponents Juventus.
It kicks off at San Siro tomorrow at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The pressure is already on the Dutchman after a 2-0 Europa League defeat to Hapoel Beer-Sheva on Thursday evening.
Frank de Boer is “used to the pressure” at Inter and assures they have “respect but no fear” for Sunday’s opponents Juventus.
It kicks off at San Siro tomorrow at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The pressure is already on the Dutchman after a 2-0 Europa League defeat to Hapoel Beer-Sheva on Thursday evening.
“When you are manager of Inter, there will always be pressure and you need results. I already said a few weeks ago that you cannot change everything in four weeks,” he said in a Press conference.
After just four competitive games, did he expect to be dealing with sack rumours in the media?
“We are working very hard with everyone at the club to improve, I think we will and I am used to the pressure, so it’s no problem for me. I chose this job because I think I can handle it.
“I can look in the mirror with honesty and say we do everything in our capability to get Inter back where they belong and I am convinced we will. It’s a process, I am convinced we will get there and feel the support of the club.
“It’s a project, you don’t suddenly go in another direction after a few weeks. It’s what we want and what they want, which is the most important thing.”
Considering the poor results thus far, did De Boer hope to face Juventus later on in the season?
“We have to accept that we’re going to play against a very good opponent, it’s no surprise. I have a lot of respect for what they are doing at Juventus, but we are not afraid. We have respect, but will work very hard as a team and with the support of our fans we can have a good result.
“Juventus are a very solid team, difficult to beat, but we proved last season in the Coppa Italia that we can beat them. I want to see that fighting spirit in the game tomorrow.”
De Boer was rather harshly asked why an Inter fan who saw the performances so far this season should feel optimistic tomorrow.
“Because they are Inter fans and have to believe. It is always very important to stay behind your club, especially in difficult moments, as they give the players something extra and that’s what we need against Juventus.
“At a club like Inter you have to think of the short-term, but above all the long-term. I made a choice, especially in this first period, that we’re going to protect some players who won’t be fully fit until December. Every Coach prefers the team to be 90-95 per cent the same from match to match. Sometimes you will take risks, at others it’s not the right time considering what’s coming ahead.”
De Boer was asked how much importance he puts on to studying the opposition or if he prefers to force the other team to adapt to Inter.
“You must always respect your opponent. We analysed Hapoel Beer-Sheva very well and have great staff for analysing the games. We come to a conclusion on where the threat is and where we can hurt them.
“Sometimes you change some small details, sometimes you press higher or lower, all those aspects are considered and then we make our choice.
“On Sunday you’ll see what we chose to do against Juventus. If we do something, we thought long and hard about it, while also respecting our own philosophy.”
The Derby d’Italia is no ordinary match, as this blog on the bitter history of the two clubs explains.
“Of course this is a special game for everybody. It’s also my first Inter-Juventus, so I will experience the expectations of the fans and I’m looking forward to seeing the stadium full.
“Everybody in Italy knows it’s a special game and so do the players, so there’s no need to motivate them. The important thing is that what they show tomorrow, they show the same against Empoli, then Bologna and so on.
“This is why top sport is so difficult, for example tennis, because to be on the highest level you have to use the same quality and motivation. It’s easy to be motivated for games like this against Juve, but you win championships if you beat all the other teams, not if you just beat Juventus.
“If you give 100 per cent in every training session and every game, normally you get what you deserve.”