APPIANO GENTILE – Andrea Stramaccioni is focused and fired up on the eve of Inter v Genoa. Just like his team - the players who are now his and for whom the coach had words of praise: "They deserve it because they look good to me. These players have written the history of world football and they always give 100%. Have I recharged them? No, it's not about recharging. No one can doubt their professionalism; they don't need recharging. We're working hard and we work in every session as if it were the most important one, the last one. That's the only way of working I know. I've come in while the team was already on its path, in a delicate moment; I've taken on a team full of champions and I've carried my working methods onto the pitch, adjusting them to these players. Half of the coaching staff has remained the same, with Baresi and Rapetti, and half is new with Catini and Pannoncini - that way we can maintain continuity while incorporating change. I'm pleased with this choice and everyone is working hard and working well. We're fired up and concentrating on tomorrow."
No worry, no fear. Just lots of determination and conviction. That's another reason why Stramaccioni has no doubts we'll see the best Inter tomorrow: "I'm sure that the 11 on the pitch and the 7 on the bench will be the best, the best that can be fielded. It's a shame we're missing a few players tomorrow but in any case it will be the best Inter possible on 1 April."
Will it be an Inter team that includes Mauro Zarate? The journalists were curious to find out, but the answer will only be given tomorrow of course. In the meantime, Stramaccioni explained his attitude towards the Argentine forward: "A coach has to find a happy medium between what was done before and what he wants to do. My choices will be based on what I've seen during the week, blended in with my own ideas. Inter have lots of talents and I'm trying to put that on the pitch, which includes Zarate's talent. If Mauro hasn't done that until now there must be a reason for it but I'll try to bring it out."From Zarate to Fredy Guarin, because there is also a lot of expectation of the Colombian, and desire to see him make his debut: "Guarin is a great player and a smashing lad. He's benefitting from the work carried out by Franco Combi's team, who have got him up and running again in record time. He'll make his contribution between now and the end of the season. He's a very strong player with a powerful engine; perhaps that's another reason why he needs a bit more time to get back to his best."
