APPIANO GENTILE – Walter Mazzarri has emphasised the size of the task awaiting his team when they travel to Torino tomorrow for their first Serie A match of 2014/15. Speaking to the media at a news conference this afternoon, he discussed the threat posed by Giampiero Ventura's side and said he feels the league will be a lot closer run than last season.
After winning in Europe, you now switch your attentions to Torino, who began their season earlier than Inter and are also playing at home. What do you need to do to get a result there?
"Torino have some very good footballers and an excellent coach. It will be a real test for us and I'm curious to see how the lads do when the first three points are on the line. Things have gone well so far, with our pre-season tour in the States and the play-off against Stjarnan. Now I want to see how my players do tomorrow."
Barring any last-minute surprises in the transfer market, do you feel this is your team now?
"Yes, I'm happy with the team. The club has done a great job based on my suggestions and working within the limits it set itself. I'm satisfied with what we're doing together. But then of course the squad I have to work with after the transfer window have to be put in a position to be able to perform at their best."
Looking at what's happened in Serie A over the summer, do you think there's been a shift in power?
"I'm only concerned with my team and getting them into shape. Besides the top three from last season, there are other sides who can cause a threat. It will be a more balanced league than last season."
Will Guarin be named in tomorrow’s matchday squad?
"I'll announce the squad after training this afternoon. Up to this point I've been focused on the Europa League, now I'll decide who to pick for the league game. I still need to speak to all the players, see who's in the best shape."
How do you see the squad compared to last season?
"Those who were here last year came back to the same coach so they knew what I'd ask of them, besides any tactical aspects I mean. Things like that have made my job easier. A year ago there were lots of things we had to deal with. This time around we start with the whole picture a lot clearer."
Is Medel improving?
"Yes, he trained yesterday in a workout only for those who didn't play much on Thursday. He's made an excellent impression on me, he had one of the best results in the stamina test he did. I'll make a decision for tomorrow."
Will we see Kovacic playing in the hole again?
"Don't forget that Kovacic had a magnificent game against Lazio pulling the strings in central midfield. The main thing is getting the ball to him in space in the right area. That's what matters, not his starting position. He knows what I want. He's improved certains aspects of his game, like his shooting and his fitness. He's on the right path."
You're a bit short on striking options. Puscas and Bonazzoli have been doing very well of late, might we see them involved in the first team more often?
"Bonazzoli could be in the squad for tomorrow's game."
Dodo is a player you specifically wanted. What's surprised you most about him?
"When I look at a player in a certain position, there are certain attributesI want to see. He's a young lad who's come here from Brazil, he needs to improve his tactical awareness – that's one area he has to work on. He's got the ability, we all knew that. I've helped him a lot in that respect. The way we're set up plays to his strengths as well."
You said the league will be a balanced affair. What do your players need to learn?
"I think consistency is important at a club like ours. You can't be going out there and changing your approach from one game to the next. It's a balanced league but we must make sure we go into each match with the same mentality."
Without Moratti, you're the man with the most football experience at the club. How does that change things?
"I have my own way of managing things. I'm clear in my mind about what I want from the coaching side. Up till now we've done everything really well. My backroom team know how to get the most out of the players but everyone needs to pull together. This year we're working really closely, and at the end of the day I'm in charge of how the team performs."
How similar is M'Vila to Luiz Gustavo? Can he play alongside Medel?
"Tactically, I think Medel is the most similar to Luiz Gustavo. M'Vila is more of a playmaker, he's better on the ball and less used to sliding back into defence. They can play together for sure. At the moment we're playing 3-5-2 but with a few small adjustments we can set up in a 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-2-1. In that case they can certainly play together."
What do you make of your Europa League group?
"Saint-Etienne are second in the French league at the moment. Theirs is a tough ground to go to, a real cauldron. Dnipro beat Napoli when was there, putting three past us. At the time they had spent heavily on the team and had a top coach. That's another difficult place to go. As for the Qarabag, we're finding out about them but in any case we're Inter and we have to make sure we qualify and go forward in all three competitions. We're masters of our own destiny."
Who will form the spine of the team?
"If you have an organised set-up, everyone can play an important role. Right now the line-up we fielded in the first leg up in Iceland is the basic team. We've improved our options in each position this year so that we can put out a strong side in midweek fixtures as well. Kovacic will play a key role like others – Palacio, who's sidelined at the moment, Handanovic, who had an excellent tail end to last season, Vidic and Juan Jesus. Those who are starting at the moment are ahead of the others but the situation changes with every training session. I always pick the team based on form."
Would you like to work with Lavezzi again in the future?
"El Pocho is a great lad and a great player. I have fond memories of him but he's at a different level now. You'll have to talk to Ausilio and the president."
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LIVE! DIRETTA CONFERENZA STAMPA MAZZARRI 30.8.2014
