APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has praised the work done by both the club and his players following Inter's fine start to the season but insists that continued improvement is needed in all areas.
After collecting maximum points from their opening five games the Nerazzurri are now preparing for a top-of-the-table clash with Fiorentina at the San Siro tomorrow.
Speaking to the media at a press conference this afternoon, the manager explained that he is happy with how things have gone so far, while rejecting suggestions from some quarters that Inter are 'playing badly'.
"I'm able to judge if the team is playing well or not, if we can improve and if we're making mistakes," he began. "I don't think there are any teams that can be considered perfect. Inter have got the right mentality. I respect everyone's views but I'm happy with my own to be quite honest.
"We're happy about the fact that we look solid. It means we've done a good job. I'm quite pleased for the moment. We don't only need to score more goals; we have to improve defensively too, our possession play – everything.
"The players know that expectations are always high at Inter, like at any big club. I don't think they're under pressure. They've got off to a good start but that's because they have toiled and battled hard. We just need to make sure we keep it up.
"I saw the president here at Appiano yesterday and he was happy. We're all happy."
Fiorentina go into tomorrow's game in second place after racking up four wins of their own and don't seem to have suffered following a change at the helm during the summer, with Paulo Sousa taking over from Vincenzo Montella in the dugout.
"Fiorentina were already playing good football last season," Mancini observed. "They're a very dangerous side in attack. We'll need to make the most of the chances we have because it's going to be very difficult for both teams. You need to be careful at all times, no matter who you're playing. They're a very good technical team with some excellent offensive players."
Another question put to the boss was whether Inter have a real No.10 in the squad. "Ljajic has the ability to play in that role but he's only just arrived and played his first game on Wednesday. He's tremendously skilful but needs to get to know the team and his team-mates.
Speaking then about his defensive options, Mancini continued: "Miranda and Murillo are the two centre-backs and we know that Medel can play there too. We have different options to choose from and maybe rest people. Medel could play anywhere, even in a more attacking midfield role.
"You need to have a fairly strong physical presence on the pitch but we also have technical players such as Ljajic, Jovetic and even Melo.
"Juan Jesus is ok. He's recovered now."
Inter could extend their winning run to six games with a win tomorrow but Mancini believes that such achievements are of little importance.
"You only make history if you win come the end of the season. What we need to do is to play well. Putting together a winning streak means nothing if you don't achieve something important at the end."
On a potential change of formation: "I don't believe the formation is very important. What matters is that the players always perform at their best and give their all."
The manager was then asked about Inter's critics. "Everyone has enemies. Sometimes it's just out of envy, spite or stupidity. Inter are trying to play football but it's not easy because most teams sit back in their own half. If we have more than 63% ball possession every game it must mean that we're doing something right."
So who are Inter's biggest rivals this year? "I've said all along that there are three teams who are better equipped than we are: Juventus, Roma and Napoli. I think big teams should always aim for the top. Juventus have won the title in the last few years and I think they should still be seen as among the favourites. Obviously it's harder when you have to make up points but they're quite capable of stringing together a run of wins."
Finally, the Nerazzurri coach was asked to comment on recent remarks made by Massimo Moratti about Inter's positive start to the season.
"I thank Moratti for his kind words. If things are going well for us it's credit to the club and the players. The coach's role is always secondary compared to what the players and the club do."
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
