APPIANO GENTILE – Roberto Mancini met with the media this afternoon to talk about tomorrow's match against his former club Sampdoria.
"I've been back to Marassi lots of times as an opponent and it's always a special game for me. I had some great times there," he began.
"I'm happy to see Walter Zenga again too. We played together lots of times, both on the same team and on opposite sides. I'm glad he's coaching in Italy again.
"Samp are a good team and they have three or four quality players up front who can win the game for you."
Inter will be aiming to bounce back tomorrow following defeat to Fiorentina. Quizzed about last Sunday's match at the Meazza, the coach explained: "Result aside we played well in the first half. I don't think the team has any sort of problem at the moment. It may even have been the best game we've played but you just have to accept the verdict of the pitch.
"What does it leave us with? It leaves us without Miranda. It was just a game. We'll lose and win others over the course of the season."
On Inter's formation: "Playing three or four at the back is not a problem – you don't win or lose a game because of that. It's always about the 11 players on the pitch. What makes the difference is a mistake by the coach or a player, or an opposition player scoring an amazing goal. Not the formation."
On criticism after the team's first defeat: "There was criticism after our first five wins... I have my idea of football and I don't let myself be influenced by outside factors, by criticism of our formation or who should or shouldn't be playing."
The Nerazzurri boss then confirmed that, "Juan Jesus is fine and so is Brozovic. He could play the full 90 minutes."
Mancini was also asked about the Montenegro call-up for Stevan Jovetic, who is unavailable to play for Inter. "Nothing has happened and I'm not angry. I think it's standard procedure to call up a player but as he's not able to play I don't think he will. If he were fit, he'd be with us tomorrow.
"Jovetic is a smart boy. If his national team calls him, he has to go, but there's no problem there. Ideally I'd like him to be able to train calmly over the next fortnight before the Juventus match."
On Geoffrey Kondogbia not receiving a call-up: "France are playing friendly matches and it's normal for a coach to try out different ideas and players. Kondogbia has always been a part of the France squad."
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