APPIANO GENTILE - Part two of Roberto Mancini's pre-Udinese v Inter news conference:
Mancini, how did you arrive at the decision to give Adriano this period of rest?
"Looking at the situation, we had this in mind for a few days because us of the staff might have been wrong in evaluating Adriano's return from Brazil after the World Cup. We should probably have given him an extra week or ten days of holiday because from a psychological point of view the World Cup was very tiring and stressful for him. We wanted him back sooner, so this is why I say we were wrong. And after talking with him, I think he needs to have peace and quiet, a few days' rest, and work well on his return."
So Adriano needs to recover both physically and psychologically?
"A lot of players find it hard after the World Cup. Adriano is not the only one. In the past they often used to send players to the mountains for five or six days. Now we have this solution, he feels calm at home and for us it's fine like this."
Will he be accompanied by one of the fitness coaches?
"Adri is still here today, we are looking at what to do. We will discuss it today."
But was this decision made in agreement with the player?
"Like I have already said, it was a decision made together with Adriano. We looked at other solutions that might have been better, for him most of all, and also for us. The most important thing is that Adriano gets back in condition. Sometimes you need to stop for a bit to return better than before."
But didn't Adriano feel the need to talk with you earlier about his unease?
"It's not a matter of unease. When you come from a very disappointing World Cup like Brazil's might have been, a situation like this can be normal. Ronaldinho isn't in great form either, and he's considered the best player in the world right now. Other players who took part in the World Cup are finding it hard, but this is normal. Adriano didn't say anything because he wanted to come and play with us."
So the photos that came out in these days have nothing to do with his state of mind?
"They have absolutely nothing to do with it. These are his private things that I won't enter into. Who knows when those photos were taken? Maybe he was on holiday, when he can do what he wants."
Was this decision made easier by the fact that Inter currently have four strikers available?
"If there were two we would probably have waited a bit because we clearly wouldn't have been able to send Adriano away. But it's an ideal situation right now."
Do you already have an idea of when you will have him back?
"I have explained how things have gone, I have explained the reasons. When Adriano returns we will see what work he has to do, and we hope it won't be long because we all of us need Adriano."
