APPIANO GENTILE – Roberto Mancini believes Inter's hopes of earning a place in next season's Europa League could hinge on tomorrow's match against Chievo.
With ten points in their last four games, the Nerazzurri have climbed back into contention but with a clutch of sides scrapping for the European spots the boss knows that nothing less than three points will do when they take on the Verona-based outfit at the Meazza tomorrow afternoon.
"It's a tricky match against Chievo because they're a side in form. They're playing well and aren't under any pressure. It's going to be very tough for us," he told journalists at his pre-match news conference in Appiano Gentile today.
It's the third game in a week after wins over Roma and Udinese, so will the coach freshen up his side tomorrow? "We'll decide on the team tomorrow morning, although Shaqiri is better now. We're not short on options at the moment."
Inter face a tough away game at Lazio in a week's time and it's one that former Biancoceleste man Hernanes or Palacio would miss if they were to pick up a booking against Chievo, yet Mancini feels that is a non-problem. "There's no issue there if they play. A forward can avoid getting a yellow card if he's careful."
The manager went on to highlight the importance of tomorrow's game in the context of the Serie A run-in. "We'll have other tough games after Chievo but a lot of it will depend on how tomorrow goes.
"I think the team was working well before Easter and they've started putting in even more since then. We have the quality needed to keep on this run we're on but there are difficulties to overcome in every match.
"I feel it could go either way against Lazio - it doesn't matter if they are second.
"All the teams who are up there at the moment are going for it. Napoli have the advantage in the race for third since they have an easier run-in.
"As for ourselves, a lot will come down to what we do tomorrow and of course the results of the other teams. We need a few things to go right for us."
Mancini then singled out Lukas Podolski for praise, with the German having laid on a match-winning assist and scored a winner himself in the last two games. "I'm delighted that Lukas has got off the mark. He'd been really unlucky beforehand. He's always trained well - he's a consummate professional. Now he's scored one and set one up."
On Nemanja Vidic: "He's improved loads in the last month. He's reached peak fitness now and is playing well. I think players need to put everything in on the training ground whatever their age - Zanetti is a perfect example of that.
"A lot of our more experienced players – the Palacios, Guarins, Medels and Vidics – are performing well and using their experience to help the team."
Finally the coach commented on the club's plans for the summer. "You go on tour to help the team prepare for the season and we'll see what happens. It's an important time to mould the team and also for the expansion of the Inter brand throughout the world."
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LIVE! CONFERENZA STAMPA ROBERTO MANCINI PRIMA DI INTER-CHIEVO VERONA 2.5.2015 13:30 CEST
