MILAN – Andrea Stramaccioni spoke to Mediaset Premium after Inter's first-leg win over Cluj in the last 32 of the Europa League. The first subject was of course Diego Milito's injury after just seven minutes of play. "Yes, unfortunately that takes some of the shine off tonight's win, which was otherwise very positive. It's his cruciate ligament, a new type of injury for Diego, nothing to do with the problems he's had before. We're gutted for Diego as a person first and foremost, and then of course for what he represents as a player. We need to see when he'll have the operation. We have to wait for more information, that's what doctor Combi told me."
From the negatives to the positives, and Rodrigo Palacio above all. "Milito is a huge loss for us because he's our only out-and-out centre forward. We'd planned for him and Palacio to play part of the game each tonight to keep them both fresh, but when you get injured seven minutes into the match it's just sheer bad luck. We're all saddened, all of us, and I feel particularly close to the lad personally. We're all very down about it."
Stramaccioni also commented on Kovacic's full debut and his decision to go with a diamond formation in midfield: "I think everyone can see the talent of this boy we've signed. He's taken no time at all to get to grips with what I want from him, to operate as a deep-lying playmaker, and I think the goal he set up for Palacio just capped off his display. He's a modest lad by nature, now it's up to me to look after him.
"I think we've done well playing with a diamond in the last two matches, I've been pleased with our performances. Our game's coming along too thanks to the work we're putting in. We have a really tough trip to Florence now but we go to any ground and try to play like Inter. I also think we've improved our defensive solidity a lot."
