MILAN - Walter Mazzarri was keen to stress both the positives and the negatives of his team's performance after watching his Nerazzurri charges beat Andrea Mandorlini's Verona 4-2 in tonight's Serie A encounter.
Speaking in a post-match interview with Sky Italia, the coach began: "We got off to a superb start, got into our stride and even started trying things that were more to please the crowd than find a route to goal, and that's not something we should be doing. Then we made a few mistakes that could have been avoided and we let Verona back into the game. We're a young team with lots of lads who aren't used to having the responsibility of playing as starters and having to win games.
"We played well and were concentrated but as soon as we let up a little Verona started causing problems for us and got their goals. If we want to challenge at the top and give all the best sides a run for their money then we can't afford to get distracted like that. After the break we went back out there looking good and scored another, then our attention levels dropped again."
"Kovacic was playing in new position and he did well, especially when we broke forward the way we were supposed to. He's still very young and there are certain things he needs to pay more attention to. He also tried to be a bit too pretty at times... You can't do that at this level until you really have put the game beyond the other team's reach.
"Palacio is an established star, the others are youngsters. Belfodil goes from the fantastic to the naive. You have your top players and then you have others you need to help become top players... Rodrigo had a great season last year and this year he's doing even better.
"Belfodil's sending off? I think it's about being mature: regardless of what anyone says to wind you up, you need to know when to stand up for yourself and when to ignore it. Having said that, I don't think it warranted a red card. The game was already over, you could have let something like that go.
"I was very happy with my two wingers. Both of them defended and attacked well. If I'm totally honest, I didn't think the Jonathan I saw in pre-season was capable of playing as well as he is but long may it continue!
"Palacio's substitution? Yes, I took him off with Tuesday's game against Atalanta in mind. If I can't try things out when we're leading 4-1 when can I? Cambiasso's substitution was because he was on a yellow and also with Tuesday's game in mind."
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INTERVISTA WALTER MAZZARRI POST INTER-HELLAS VERONA
