GLASGOW – As Inter prepare to step back onto the European stage tomorrow, Roberto Mancini has expressed his admiration for his side's Europa League round-of-32 opponents Celtic and their fans while admitting that the ultimate aim is to lift the trophy come May.
Speaking to the international press during his pre-match news conference at Celtic Park this evening, he began: "The Europa League is very important for us. There are some top teams in it and I think Celtic are one of them. There'll be a fantastic atmosphere at the stadium and I expect it to be a great game. We must aim to improve constantly. We do need to be a bit shrewder and I hope the team keeps on this upwards curve.
"Do I expect it to be a fierce battle? It's sure to be a different sort of game to what we're used to in Italy. I'll decide what team to put out tomorrow morning. We'd like to go all the way for lots of reasons but we have to think about this game only and not the final. It's a big match but we're just like everyone else: we're in it to win it. We want to go all the way."
The boss then commented on the Celtic Park atmosphere: "I think it's right and a good thing that the Celtic fans make themselves heard. That's how it should be. We're growing and playing in a setting like this will help us grow further. That's the beauty of football! I'm proud to be the Inter manager. I like playing at grounds like this and I'll be even prouder tomorrow if our fans are the ones celebrating come the final whistle.
"Are Celtic a more technical, less physical side nowadays? I think Scottish football has come on a great deal in recent years. It doesn't surprise me because I think they're very professional."
Asked specifically about Mateo Kovacic and Nemanja Vidic, Mancini said: "More than Kovacic's night let's hope it's our night. But if that means it's his night as well then that's just fine.
"Vidic had some physical problems after the Sassuolo game but he's better now. If he doesn't start the game, he'll still be useful because he's used to this type of football and he's used to playing in Europe."
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
SEGUI CELTIC - INTER SU INTER CHANNEL
