APPIANO GENTILE – The day before Inter take on Udinese in what will be their last match of the season, Andrea Stramaccioni gave his view of tomorrow's opponents Udinese in a press conference: "We'll be playing a team that in terms of results has been more consistent than anyone in the run-in. I think Di Natale has recovered too, and he and Muriel are a real danger up front. We're going to be facing a very motivated side but the lads have trained well and we want to give our fans a proper send-off."
The coach was asked for an update on the fitness of individual players. "Palacio is looking good. He's worked very well this week and will be in the squad, though I don't think he'll start the game. As for the players who have been playing through gritted teeth recently, my plan is not to put them at risk. I mean Ranocchia, who's hobbled through the last three games, Chivu and Cassano, who's had a successful operation."
The next topic brought up was the expected managerial merry-go-round this summer, with Stramaccioni asked if he was surprised to hear the recent rumours about Walter Mazzarri: "I have to smile because I guess you don't like what I tell you. Both myself and the president have been very clear on the matter on a number of occasions. And I don't want to be the one to upset this little game: Mazzarri is going to speak after tomorrow's match, Allegri after the match, why should I speak now? I'll let my president do the talking anyway. Tomorrow I'll be the Inter coach and I'm sure that anything interesting which should emerge after the game will come from the president's mouth. As he's already said, it's only right that anything should come from him." A journalist then pointed out that in the past coaches have had their position confirmed in May only to then be sacked in June. To which Stramaccioni replied: "And how many who have been confirmed in May have lost their job in the same month? I could be the first coach to have his position confirmed and then revoked in the space of four days..."
How would Stramaccioni feel if he should one day leave Inter? "When that happens, if it happens, though it's quite normal when you're a coach, all I'll have to say to my president is thanks. Would I feel as if I've been messed around with if it were to happen now? No, of course not. If it did happen now, my only regret would be that I haven't been able to give him what he deserves. You get bad years. Everyone takes a fall every now and then. What matters is how you pick yourself up and we're ready to pick ourselves up next season."
The Nerazzurri coach was also asked to comment on the performance of the Italy Under-17 team, laden with Inter youngsters, which lost the European U17 Championship final on penalties yesterday: "It was a bit disappointing because I think Italy played better. Well done to Zoratto and Sacchi. We're extremely proud to have had all those players there, we have a superb youth academy, top rate. Our Primavera team was affected by our own season this year."
