UDINE – A first away win for Andrea Stramaccioni's Inter, who looked to have already won the game when the teams were named, bamboozling Udinese by naming two attacking midfielders. "We won it over the 90 minutes," explained the Nerazzurri coach as he spoke to Sky Sport Italia. "It was a very tough game, it's never easy to play here in Udine, but Inter put in a very good performance today."
They went behind but once again the Nerazzurri were able to find a response. "We're working well, but I can only speak for myself," explained Stramaccioni. "That's why I got annoyed yesterday because there always seems to be this notion that Inter are carrying this 'original sin'. I heard things which irritated me and I think the lads responded, especially those who had been particularly targeted like Sneijder, Alvarez, Cambiasso and Ranocchia. I can only talk about what's gone on since I've been in charge. So I can tell you that Sneijder did everything to come back as soon as possible, and today he was the key tactically because by playing him in behind the striker we were able to cause Udinese problems. It's only right that we take responsibility when we lose, but we're still in it and we deserve respect."
"It's important to try and have quality on the pitch," continued Stramaccioni as he discussed tactical decisions. "We tried in Florence, but something went wrong, even though Fiorentina's performance today might cause us to rethink our result against them. Today's is a victory for the all the lads because I can work out how to best to approach a game but it doesn't mean much unless the team help me."
The team, the squad, their desire. This was what today's victory was built upon. "They know better than I do, today Inter stopped talking and got a result, we weren't awful after Florence, nor are we world-beaters now. From tomorrow we'll only have Cesena on our minds, Sunday's game will be big if we want to qualify for the Champions League."
Speaking to Mediaset Premium, Stramaccioni went on to explain that "today's victory is important both in terms of the league table and the performance. Udine is always a tough place to come to as it is, let alone when it's a six-pointer. Inter played as a team today and this is everyone's victory. Yesterday I was angry because people went over the top in their assessment of the game in Florence, before you judge this Inter side you need to count to 100, maybe even 150. We tried to cause problems for Udinese with two attacking midfielders getting in behind their central midfielders, it wasn't based on their defence. We did well and I don't think Udinese had an off-day. It's true that you need to keep the past in mind, but I make decisions based on what I see and feel."
Speaking to Radio Rai and Rai Radio 2, "I don't think there are secrets to football, otherwise we'd all be using them. I've put my confidence in the team and the players, and they're rewarding my faith in them. The Italian league is difficult, you can't pick up points against everyone and there are no easy games. I don't think I have any secrets, I work hard in training and talk to professionals who are also honest men."
Finally Stramaccioni reaffirmed a notion to Inter Channel. "Yesterday they wound me up in the press conference and the lads gave the best possible response on the pitch: we kept our mouths shut and let our football do the talking."
