APPIANO GENTILE – Walter Mazzarri is set to return to former club Napoli when he takes Inter to the Stadio San Paolo tomorrow. With the Serie A clash in mind, he reflected on his time with the Azzurri during a media conference in Appiano today.
He explained: "I spent four unforgettable years there. Wonderful, intense years but right now I'm thinking about preparing my players as best as possible, making sure they know what could happen tomorrow. I'll try to give them as much information as possible, we know how good Napoli are. We've made some mistakes in the last few games, especially against Parma, but we've worked very hard this week. I think my players and I have worked very well so I expect to see a big improvement tomorrow."
What sort of reception will Mazzarri be given at the San Paolo? "I think that intelligent, level-headed people are capable of recognising people's merits and faults. At all the clubs where I've worked the fans have appreciated me because they understand what a professional does for their team. Fans have to respect what a person decides to do at the end of a contract. I'm not going to make any predictions, I'll accept whatever happens. The game will be played in a stadium where the fans have been able to make the difference in the past. I've tried to explain to my players what sort of atmosphere to expect. We still have to grow in terms of our character too."
The coach was then asked about what was written in some of the papers today: has he sensed a rift within the club and what does he think about the rumours of Frank de Boer becoming Inter coach? "I've been coaching for 13 years at different levels and I think this talk is all a bit far-fetched. I haven't sensed anything of the kind; in fact I've had entirely the opposite impression. I think it's just people trying to create problems among the staff here. It's my job to ignore it and focus on doing well on the pitch. There's great unity within the club."
Mazzarri went on to discuss Inter's season so far: "We're doing better than the best expectations. We've dropped points along the way - some we deserved to lose, others we didn't - but generally speaking we're doing very well. Remember that we started over again this year and both Milan clubs have been forced to adopt a different policy due to financial needs. I'll tell you something: shortly after I arrived in Milan, one day in August – although I rarely go out – I was in town and fans stopped me to ask me to take Inter back into Europe. As things stand we're already sitting in a European spot whereas at the time the fans were asking me as if it were something impossible to achieve...
"What I say to my players is that we must never be satisfied and always try to go as high as possible, but let's not forget where we started too. Other prestigious clubs have had to start over again at times. Barcelona, for example: they did it at a certain point, focusing on youth and it paid off for them. I prefer action to words, I don't like to talk too much and I'd like you to judge things based on what happens on the pitch, comparing performances to the value of the team. Unfortunately in this world people often say, do and make up whatever they want."
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