APPIANO GENTILE – Roberto Mancini met with the media the day before Inter make the trip down to the capital to play Roma.
Speaking at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti, he began by giving due credit to Rudi Garcia's side. "Roma are ahead of us, they're more used to playing together and have been doing well for a while now. Garcia is a great coach too. Our approach to the game will be a key factor.
"I've always had a great deal of respect for Roma and I've enjoyed some great battles with them down the years."
The boss also had praise for Giallorossi talisman Francesco Totti: "He's one of the greatest footballers Italy has ever seen, but he's also up there on a European and world level. He hasn't won as much as he might have with his talent but he tied himself to one club and is an idol for Roma supporters. That's a fantastic achievement in itself."
The Nerazzurri coach also fielded lots of questions about specific players.
"Medel played well on Thursday when we went down to 10 men, although I think he can do better.
"Kovacic has a toe problem. He trained yesterday and we'll see tomorrow. I think he'll be available.
"His position? Players need to be able to do a job in two or three different positions. Mateo is blessed with ability of the highest level. He's a young lad who can play anywhere. I think it's important for him to learn to perform different roles.
"Camara? I haven't seen him yet because he wasn't fit. I'm told he's very good though."
A comment on his current central defensive pairing: "I think Ranocchia and Juan Jesus just need to have a bit more belief in their own ability. They will get better and the way the team plays as a unit will also improve."
"Handanovic is one of the best keepers around, in Italy and on the European stage."
And there was a brief update on the condition of Nagatomo, after he was forced to leave the pitch with a shoulder injury against Dnipro. "Yuto's ok but he won't make the squad tomorrow."
As for tomorrow's game, Mancini insisted that regardless of the level of the opposition, Inter must head into every match with a winning mentality.
"I don't think it's important for us to look at the league table at the moment. Tomorrow I want to see us carry on doing the good things we've done so far.
"Roma v Inter is a classic Italian fixture. Even though they're ahead of us at the moment, we're Inter and we must go out there and always give our all."
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LIVE! CONFERENZA STAMPA ROBERTO MANCINI PRIMA DI ROMA-INTER 29.11.2014 H:12:15
