APPIANO GENTILE - Andrea Stramaccioni is ready for Inter's last game of this Serie A 2011/12 season, but before tomorrow's clash with Lazio, the Nerazzurri coach chose to look back at the crowds who flocked to Appiano Gentile yesterday.
"I think it's a important time," he explained at the start of the pre-match press conference. "Following the incredible show we saw in the derby, our supporters again made themselves heard this week. But I'd now like to look beyond the Lazio game because I see this time as the moment before a renaissance, through the desire of Nerazzurri everywhere to make this club a major player again both in Italy and in Europe."
The Inter fans' renewed enthusiasm comes on the back of Inter's performance in the derby against AC Milan, although the coach pointed out: "I don't set up my Inter team to play in a way that'll delight the fans, but rather to get us playing in the way that best suits the players I've got available. If the fans enjoy our style of play, then of course I'm very pleased, because I think the fans are starting to look at what the players are giving for this shirt. The quality is a bonus, what I heard the fans say was because they're happy to see such a united, close-knit squad."
And Stramaccioni highlighted the fact that a bit of this quality will be missing in Rome because Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneijder and Mauro Zarate will not travel. "The Inter side that will play in the Stadio Olimpico will be ready for war, with a little less flair, but still the same desire to get a result. Wesley complained of pain yesterday, but he had to stop today because of a problem to his right calf. He had a check with Doctor Combi and he's gutted to miss out on the game in Rome. Zarate is a tactical decision, Inter will play in a different way and he does fit in with that. Forlan already had an ankle problem. It will be a different game."
And when asked about who will be in the starting line-up tomorrow, Stramaccioni smiled, "I'll tell you now, you've all got it wrong this time, but honestly I've not even told the players yet. Is Longo ready? He's 20, he plays for Inter, if he's not ready he might as well retire."
