APPIANO GENTILE – Among the many questions put to Andrea Stramaccioni in today's media conference, there were of course several about Inter's injury list. "The doctor said about a month and a half or two," the coach explained referring to Palacio and Cassano. "Rodrigo has started running again while Antonio hasn't, so neither will be returning imminently."
As for Yuto Nagatomo, "He's an Inter player, on Inter's payroll and Inter have the final say, naturally while taking the player's wishes into account and with the aim of getting him fit again as quickly as possible for the start of next season. It's up to Inter if and where Nagatomo will have an operation."
Does the coach feel he will have the chance to blood a few youngsters in the final part of the season? "I think that's something the coach, I, need to bear in mind. I'd like to emphasise how well Jonathan played against Roma, his best performance of the season. I think he showed people what he's about. Kovacic has been performing consistently. Other things depend on the players' fitness. But we've had six or seven Primavera players with us all the time recently and that is also to help us understand where their future might lie."
So what will happen to people like Samuele Longo and Alfred Duncan? "Now's not really the best time to be talking about this, but I always keep an eye on how the lads who go out on loan are doing. I think Duncan and Longo are the two who are most ready to become a part of the first-team squad next season. Livaja is another matter: his future will be decided with Atalanta."
Regarding the transfer market, Stramaccioni stressed that "all our transfer dealings are decided together. For next year Inter are working to strengthen the areas we weren't able to this season."
The coach was also asked if he would consider moving Mateo Kovacic forward into a more advanced role. "Against Cagliari and Roma I lost both my ballwinners and with those two out of the equation it's more difficult for me to keep Mateo further up the pitch. Ideally I see him playing in a midfield three, where he can both get forward and use his vision to create things from deep."
Of all the Nerazzurri players currently on the sidelines, who would Stramaccioni most like to have been able to field against Parma? "The player I'd like to have had for tomorrow is Obi. He's been unluckier than anyone. He's still a young lad but he's mature because he's been here for a long time. Unfortunately I've hardly ever had him available. He's one of the many I want to see at the start of next season."
Speaking of next season, Stramaccioni was asked if he still believes he will be at Inter. "Yes, I'm convinced I will. I don't like complaining and I'm not going to moan but we've had all sorts happen to us. We've had to manage some delicate situations, yet Inter have laid some solid groundwork for this team's future and that will be built on in the coming transfer window. The groundwork has been laid with players you might not know about. You shouldn't associate a negative moment with the desire to help Inter grow."
