Luciano Spalletti said Inter will visit Fiorentina “without fear” and have a plan for dealing with Luis Muriel, but are still missing Mauro Icardi.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Muriel has the kind of pace that is difficult to deal with, so we need to be even better at working together to cut him off,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Luciano Spalletti said Inter will visit Fiorentina “without fear” and have a plan for dealing with Luis Muriel, but are still missing Mauro Icardi.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Muriel has the kind of pace that is difficult to deal with, so we need to be even better at working together to cut him off,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“If you leave him in a one-on-one situation, he’s almost impossible to stop. We need a collaborative approach to defending and keeping the spaces tight, not getting stretched out.
“We are in the right condition to play Fiorentina on level terms even in their own stadium and go there without fear.”
As expected, Mauro Icardi and Keita Balde Diao are still unavailable, even though the former captain’s knee injury did not show up on medical tests.
“I hope to have Icardi and Keita back as soon as possible. It’s unlikely for a team like Inter to depend on just one player, as if we did, then we wouldn’t be a top level side. There are others who can make the difference and allow us to stay in the top spots of the table.
“The team has clearly done better over the last few games and sorted out some things that had not been working well, but at the same time our lead over the chasing pack has been reduced and we’ve got to keep winning.
“There are many reasons for the improvements. On an individual level, we must give our all to get positive answers. We need to get some players back for the forward line, as our numbers are limited there at the moment and I’d prefer to have more options to rotate the squad.”
Lautaro Martinez is the only available centre-forward and he is one yellow card away from suspension, but was booked more than once for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal.
“Lautaro is intelligent, he gets emotional when he scores and wants to express all his joy. Taking off the shirt is something he can do without and I am convinced he’ll be more careful from now on.
“Matteo Politano can play as a centre-forward and already did at Sassuolo. Ivan Perisic’s form is down to mental strength and reaching maturity as a player.”
Milan beat Empoli 3-0 last night and closed the gap from Inter to just one point.
“I am optimistic, because my team is in good shape. I am also not worried, as the teams getting closer are the ones we expected to be challenging.”