APPIANO GENTILE – Since Andrea Stramaccioni arrived in the dugout, Alessandro Nista has returned to Inter in his role as goalkeeper coach. He was this week's guest on Inter Channel's pre-match interview programme 'A tu per tu'.
First of all, welcome back. How do the players seem to you after this break away?
"They're in great shape and very motivated to start working with me again, though I'm sure they worked just as well with my predecessor. Regardless of how things have been going generally, they have always performed very well."
Does having someone like yourself, who combines a work ethic with a smile, help them to work better?
"I think it does, but I think it's just part of my character. Having to working hard is a given so I think if you can do that within the framework of lighthearted relationship it can even help to push you a little bit beyond your limits. And there's no harm in doing things with a smile rather than a grimace."
What did it feel like going back to the Stadio Meazza?
"Sunday aside, coming back here was probably better than the first time because back then everything was new and I didn't know what to expect: all I knew was that I would have to concentrate on my work, but I didn't know what awaited me in terms of relationships. This time I knew I'd be coming back to a place where I feel good in every sense of the word - that was probably a stronger emotion than when I joined Inter last year."
After the way things went against Genoa, have you had the keepers practise saving penalties this week?"[Smiling] I have, although I think that Sunday was a crazy game, in keeping with the spirit of this team. It was important to get off to a good start with a win and I think that for much of the game we saw some very good things, a clear outline of what's to come even though we only had a few days to work. Winning was the main thing but then something happened that – and you'll know more about these statistics than me – but I don't think there has ever been a match in which three penalties were awarded against the home team and the home team then went on to win anyway. Quite incredible."
What about showing the keeper a red card after contact in the area? Do you think they'll ever change that rule?
"I don't think there's any doubt that the goalkeeper has a very difficult job indeed, and that's even truer today with the speed of the modern game. I think they have already discussed changing the rule. It does seem to be an excessive price to pay because the keeper always goes out looking to win the ball. Then as we saw on Sunday, if your opponent manages to go past you and you've already started your dive it's always going to create situations."
Do you agree with the double punishment – a sending off followed by a ban for the next game?"Just having a penalty is a big thing in itself. Unless there is a clear intention to bring the player down, I think a penalty is enough."
So Julio Cesar has been able to train in peace this week."Yes, every cloud has a silver lining. Having a week to do some active recovery work and concentrate on physical aspects has done him no harm at all. We have other goalkeepers so it's no big deal. Castellazzi is totally reliable, he works hard and has always been ready when called upon."
Speaking as an ex-player, do you think that playing on a neutral pitch reduces the "home advantage" factor?
"Yes, it does, but we have to concentrate on our own game regardless of where we play. The players here at Inter are so good that it makes no sense to look at whether you're playing on a neutral pitch or at home. We're playing Cagliari, a team that we can certainly beat and against whom we must do everything we can to make sure we take home as many points as possible."
Has Andrea Stramaccioni asked you to do anything particular with the keepers?
"No, and I must say that the goalkeeping coach has always had a lot of freedom to manage things as he sees fit. But then I think that one of my main tasks is to make the head coach's job as easy as possible. He already has to think about more than 20 players, while I only have three or four, so it's only right that I should be the one who figures out what needs doing. He has the final say of course, but when we get to the weekend I just give him a report on how they are doing fitness-wise so that he can be sure that whoever he sends out onto the pitch has no physical problems. As for the technical side of things, it's only right that he shouldn't have to worry about that."
