Inter caretaker Coach Stefano Vecchi said they lacked “quality on the ball, which ought to be our strength” in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton.
Frank de Boer was sacked this week and Primavera youth team boss Vecchi thrown in at the deep end at St Mary’s while the search for a new Coach continues.
Inter caretaker Coach Stefano Vecchi said they lacked “quality on the ball, which ought to be our strength” in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton.
Frank de Boer was sacked this week and Primavera youth team boss Vecchi thrown in at the deep end at St Mary’s while the search for a new Coach continues.
“I think the team put in an organised, determined and spirited performance against a very physical side that also plays good football,” Vecchi told Sky Sport Italia.
“We really caused Southampton huge problems. While we did well in the first half, in the second we fumbled a few too many passes and failed to make the most of the counter-attacks.
“We also need to learn how to control the ball better, because otherwise we’ll be under constant pressure and it wears you down.”
Ever Banega was moved into a more advanced role behind lone centre-forward Mauro Icardi.
“Banega has great character and quality. Today he did well for large spells of the game, but fell away towards the end. I kept him in anyway because he could guarantee more quality in the passing.
“When we found him between the lines, he was able to create passes and spark important chances. He gave his all, as everyone did, but clearly everybody can do better.”
Inter have lost eight of their total 15 games this season, so are they getting accustomed to this being the situation?
“There hasn’t been much time to work tactically, even if we did a few things certainly. There won’t be time for the next game either. I tried to send confidence and positive signals to the squad, I saw great focus and intensity, we fell away in the second half, but above all weren’t consistent in terms of quality, which ought to be our strength.
“When Southampton pushed us into our own half, it was because we didn’t use the ball well when we did get it. If every time you are under pressure, the pass out of defence is poor, then naturally you’re going to get pegged back.
“We lacked some quality in controlling the ball and going on the counter-attack, so we were forced to sit deep.”
Vecchi has to prepare a Serie A match against Crotone on Sunday evening, so how will he act after this debut defeat?
“We must try to eliminate any type of negativity to emerge from this situation and collectively try to control the game more.
“Despite everything, we went close to winning here, but showed our limitations in the second half. When you start to believe in miracles, then miracles happen. Inter are a big club with talented players, so they don’t need a miracle, we just have to find the right path.
“Qualification from this group is probably compromised, though anything can happen in football, but you have to play at the same level for 95 minutes to win and this evening we didn’t do that.”