TRIESTE - "The lads started well despite the fact the pitch was heavy and that occasionally made playing difficult, but we knitted some nice moves together, and it's a shame as we deserved to take the lead in the first half. The lads played well and their keeper saved everything: perhaps we weren't accurate enough and tried to be too cute at times, slipping before shooting first, then being halted by a puddle. We need to be meaner, more clinical, that's what I'd say to the guys if I really had to say something. But I can't complain," said Walter Mazzarri as he spoke to Sky Italia after the match.
He was then asked to comment on Belfodil's performance, as the forward started the game: "Belfodil did well until he got tired. The young guys need a bit of time to take off, that's the difference between them and established stars."
Mazzarri was then told about Vincenzo Montella's comments regarding Inter and their coach: "Clearly he wants to show that he's always calm, he didn't feel good at the end of the match or he wasn't: I said that Fiorentina can compete for the Scudetto. Unlike him, I didn't say so before the match, I didn't respond to him when he spoke about Inter, now he's still at it and he's talking without checking his facts, Inter have the third highest wage bill, not the second. Plus we should mention that Inter's wage bill has been cut from 190 million to 80 million, and that other teams have gone past us. These are facts, but if he wants to talk about other clubs' business...".
The coach then spoke to Mediaset Premium: "What kind of a draw is it? One from a team that played an excellent match. We didn’t have much luck on our side, but what matters to me is seeing our improvement. It was a shame because we had the three points in our hands, then they slipped away. Did we pay for rotating the squad? Maybe just in the finishing department, but I’m pleased. And sometimes in this game the ball just doesn’t want to go in. Am I congratulating Lopez after the game as I did with Montella? Montella isn’t very careful. He wants to make it seem like the defeat didn’t bother him, however… I spoke highly of Fiorentina, but maybe he was careless and likes to talk. Were they two points lost? Cagliari is a team to be reckoned with, and let’s not forget how they’ve made things difficult for everyone. I complained about the schedule? It wasn’t a complaint; no team has had less time between their matches than we have. I think Belfodil was the best player on the pitch for the amount of time he was out there. I made the choice because I’ve seen both Belfodil and Icardi in training. Is Guarin guilty of risking anarchy in the team? I’m working on the situation. He’s a great guy and understands the few flaws he has. We’re working on keeping our concentration. The Turin Derby? I don’t even comment on refereeing incidents in our own games, so why should I comment on the others?"
To Rai Sport: "Two points lost? If you watch our performance and how the game unfolded then certainly. But now I’m interested in seeing how the team plays. I’m happy with the performance. It’s a shame because we had it in our hands, then came that unlucky deflection… I wasn’t nervous on the bench for the first half. It just needed a goal. Cagliari’s keeper did quite well on a couple of chances. Belfodil? He played a great game and was unlucky in front of goal. The fixture list? I’m just saying that some teams are getting more rest than others. We need to be more careful about this. If Fiorentina played against us and then play Monday night it means they get 24 hours extra rest. There were no special demands for playing Cagliari. We just had to be careful in our decision-making. Do we have an advantage in not playing in Europe? If you believe in working, resting and doing things the right way, then there’s an advantage. And it also depends on the quality of your squad. Montella’s statements? He has to be more careful about saying things precisely. Although if we want to say more we can keep going, but I don’t think that’s the case. The head-to-head between Inter and Roma? These are important matches. I’d even say Fiorentina are title contenders. So there are three head-to-head games to consider: Juventus, Fiorentina and Roma. We’re not yet title contenders? It’s not a question I’m worried about. I’m only thinking about the work we have to do."
A Radio Rai: "I really liked my team today. We deserved more, and you all saw how Cagliari got their goal. Kovacic? He’s improving and starting to understand what I want from him. How far along are you in the process of moulding the team? A saw a team that played well, as if we hadn’t played a game just two days ago."
His final statements: "I got agitated at the end with the referee? I’m sorry with such good football we weren’t able to capitalise and take the three points. Belfodil was unlucky and wasn’t sharp enough to deal the killer blow. Even our tired players played well today. When a team attacks well it gives nothing away, almost nothing. Montella? It was all him. After a game if you start talking about another club's wage bill you need to get your facts right. But we'd have to open up another topic there because you need to assess certain parameters differently. Nainggolan? We’re happy with the players we have."
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INTERVISTA WALTER MAZZARRI POST CAGLIARI-INTER
