MILAN – After the Coppa Italia match against Trapani, Walter Mazzarri answered questions from journalists. Here are his responses:
"This game should make us reflect on things. After the first half I had said to manage the situation when our alertness drops, which can happen. I also wanted to give debuts to some youngsters and it seemed the right moment to me. However, you can never underestimate anything. It’s a question of careless moments you can’t let happen to you. In the first half we were all focused and did well. Then our concentration dropped. These are things we have to work on."
Then he spoke to Radio RAI: "A nerve-wracking ending? It will help me to make the lads understand the game isn’t over until the final whistle. And I myself will have to learn to stress at halftime that the game has to be managed. The boys probably aren’t mature enough to understand that, so I’m the one who will have to make it clearer. How the team looked on the pitch? Players who don’t regularly go 90 minutes play at a different rhythm, and let’s not forget that I gave 3 youngsters their debuts. The important thing was advancing, which we did. Are our thoughts on the league? We’re thinking about the Parma match, which is going to be a tough one since they’re an in-form team. Cassano wants to play against us because he’s got a chip on his shoulder? Cassano will do everything necessary to be there with his team."
He then added: "In this case I think I take some of the blame by not doing what I normally do. I only said to manage the result. Knowing me a bit, they probably saw I was calmer and thought they had the win already locked up. The fact that we almost risked elimination should serve us in the future.
"Mudingayi in particular did well after coming off a long injury layoff. Andreolli had trained hard and did well. Kovacic? To tell the truth, I was distracted in the final minutes. I know he asked to come off, but I don’t know what for. Nagatomo? We’ll see if he can at least be called up by evaluating things beginning tomorrow. You have to be careful with muscle problems.
"I was really angry? Letting in a goal from a throw in… What more do I have to say? It means the team gave up mentally. I realised this team needs a coach who is always there, in every way. Let’s not forget that today there were very few players who get regular playing time, and they also don’t have much familiarity with one another. I made some choices, but there were quite a few together on the pitch for the first time. It’s normal to have a few flaws.
"Parma? It’s yet another chance to test ourselves, since we’ll be facing a solid and well-organised team. Zanetti? He’s doing well, but these were the choices I made today.
The coach then concluded: "Advancing to the next round was the goal, but it was never a given. It’s never easy when you make choices like the ones I made today, giving debuts to youngsters. As I said though, the important thing was advancing and this game will be useful in improving. The first victory for president Thohir? So they told me, and I’m pleased."
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INTERVISTA WALTER MAZZARRI POST INTER - TRAPANI TIM CUP
