MILAN – "Football isn’t a precise science but the more we can get it to science the better it is for the team. I have a lot of new players here and a basic working principle of mine is for the team to familiarise themselves with the pitch they’ll be playing on." That’s how Walter Mazzarri explained his decision to train at the Meazza today.
In his press conference Mazzarri stressed that the teams he's coached have "always had a precise identity, and always played purposeful, quick football that when played well is excellent to watch from the terraces."
The coach was asked about what he’d salvage from Inter’s performance in the Coppa Italia against Cittadella: "Just the result! I’d be happy with the same result again... We corrected a lot of things following the Cittadella game, when we got caught out a couple of times on the counter-attack. I didn’t like that much, so we’ve worked on that. We played some good football as well but I hope to do even better. Besides, Genoa are a different proposition compared to Cittadella."
Focus then turned to questions on his players: "I’ve got to establish just how fit Kovacic is at the moment. He’s fit and available, but I’m not sure exactly how many minutes he’ll be able to play. I could give him a run-out in part of the game, either in the starting 11 or as a substitute. We’ll see. Icardi isn’t 100% fit either following his knock, but he’s available too. The decision to start him or not will be made based purely on tactics."
The coach also had words to say on Inter’s latest signing, Saphir Taider: "He can play anywhere in midfield. Either in an attacking or a defensive role, and that’s important in modern-day football: the more versatile a footballer is, the more useful he is."
Speaking on the general feeling in the camp, the coach went on: "I’m calm. I have every faith in the players. The only thing I’m concerned about is that I’m not certain exactly how many problems could crop up during the game. But that’s all part and parcel of the first match of the season. It’s normal. I don’t know every single player inside out yet. But that’s normal too at a new club. It may be tough for my wingers to play the football I want to play, but I’m convinced it’s much easier for my central midfield players. Even the defence has to integrate well. For a large chunk of last season Napoli had the best defence in the league. But we need time."
