APPIANO GENTILE – Andrea Stramaccioni analysed Inter's injury situation ahead of tomorrow's Week 37 match away to Genoa.
"We've tried to manage our energy levels since Wednesday because Napoli and Lazio were intense games and we also played them with the same team. A few players came out of Wednesday's match with fitness concerns, like Ranocchia and Kovacic.
"Chivu hasn't been able to recover in time and he risks picking up an even worse injury so we need to think carefully. He was still feeling pain yesterday so he's not in the squad for tomorrow.
"Andrea wants to give it to the last minute to try and make it, because with Juan Jesus suspended we don't have any other first-team defenders. I'll have a look at him tomorrow before deciding if I can use him.
"Mateo hasn't been totally fit since the Lazio game and I preferred to have him work separately yesterday. He wants to play and if there's no risk involved he will. We have to assess things carefully though because he uses up a lot during games."
With no Juan Jesus or Chivu and with Ranocchia doubtful, Stramaccioni was asked if he might deploy Cambiasso in defence, even if Inter play with a back four. “Cambiasso has done a job at the back before but in a different formation. I've called up Spendlhofer, he can play there as well as Pasa."
There are two league fixtures left to play and Stramaccioni explained that "We must end the season on a high. If you look at the results they aren't good, but those who watched our games know that we played well, caused lots of problems for our opponents and didn't always deserve to lose. We've shown that we're haven't given up, we're working very hard. Now it's important we finish the year well, giving it everything we've got."
During the press conference, the coach was also asked if he thought the Nerazzurri's injury problems might have something to do with the new training pitch, a mix of artificial and natural turf like at the Stadio Meazza. "I can't give a definitive assessment as it's not within my competence, but there are experts looking at whether there may be a connection because it's been put forward as one of the possible causes. We'll see. If the two things are connected then we'll take the appropriate measures."
