MILAN – Seven points in three games, that's Andrea Stramaccioni's record so far at the helm of Inter following tonight's 2-1 win over Siena at the Stadio Meazza. The coach spoke to Sky Italia after the match: "It was an uphill battle from the start for us because giving a goal away to this Siena side in the first five minutes gives you some handicap. But I think Inter deserved to win overall and especially given our second-half performance against one of the most in-form sides in the league."
So is the coach sticking with the veterans instead of going with youth? "I can't say I agree with that view: we had Obi and Alvarez out there today. The coach's job is to put out the best team possible and I look at who is in the best shape for each match. The "old players", as you journalists call them, were excellent again today. Just look at Stankovic. And Zanetti needs no commenting on..."Siena were allowed to have several chances but "today I'll take the improvement I saw in terms of ball possession," Stramaccioni continued. "Obviously if you're attacking with six, seven or even eight players, you're going to leave a few spaces sometimes. And, as I said, we mustn't forget that we were up against one of the best counter-attacking teams around."
Udine and Florence are now two key milestones on the horizon in the Nerazzurri's season: "With the way things are in the league at the moment I think every game is decisive and the most important thing is that Inter go out there with an attacking mentality. We didn't have much luck today as we lost Samuel and Obi to injury, but I think the team still looked good. At the moment I certainly see the glass as half full."
Giampaolo Pazzini partnered Diego Milito late on in the game: "What I was saying in the press conference yesterday was that for the way we play at the moment, our game is based around a single centre forward. At least to start with. I'm here to make choices and for the moment I've chosen to start with Diego."
Speaking to Radio Rai, the coach added: "The second half against Siena was what I want from Inter: good football, chances and desire."
Stramaccioni also gave his thoughts to Mediaset Premium: "We do believe we can get third place. It's tough but we believe we can do it. Why didn't I watch as Milito took his penalty? Maybe someone called me just at that moment... Our defensive display? Generally speaking there's work to be done but the glass is half full because Inter played better today, we supplied the wings better and we had more possession. Samuel was unlucky with that challenge that led to Siena's goal and then he saved what was almost a certain goal. Milito is in fine fettle and not only for the goals he's scoring. Then there's Pazzini who gave the team a lot when we'd lost a bit of energy. Should it have been a penalty for us? I didn't comment when they gave three against us so I don't think it's right for me to comment when we get one."
