APPIANO GENTILE – Roberto Mancini believes his side need to be completely focused if they are to beat Sassuolo on Sunday.
Talking to journalists at his pre-match press conference in Appiano Gentile on Saturday morning, Mancini declared: "Sassuolo are arguably better on the road than they are at home and they certainly don’t set out to defend. They’ve been together for a while and have some really good players up front. We need to defend well, keep it tight for them and take our chances."
Inter have earned something of a reputation as 1-0 specialists this season, but Mancini has no qualms with that: "I love a 1-0 win and if we win the next 15 matches by that scoreline then that would be perfect. There is so much chatter but we like hearing other people talk about us."
Asked how important it would be to get the win and finish the first half of the season as league leaders, Mancini replied: "It would be important because it would mean staying top and building on the Empoli win. You can make a few mistakes and lose a few games during the season but the important thing is to bounce back with a run of wins.
"I hope the side has realised how important it is to maintain their concentration. Empoli, Sassuolo and Atalanta are all quite similar games – they all have good managers who prepare for matches well. We had to dig in at Empoli but we knew that would happen. We’ll need to be 100% alert against Sassuolo."
Mancini also praised the vibe within his squad: "You need good, intelligent lads in any dressing room. They have a great relationship. Sometimes in a family there are disagreements – it can happen between parents and their children so just imagine having 30 people from different countries. This is the best squad I’ve ever had in that regard and I’ve barely ever heard them have any problems."
The Nerazzurri boss was then asked about his policy of rotation: "I try to put the team out that gives me the best chance of winning. We’ve never had the same eleven players start the game, but sometimes it’s been just the odd change from the previous week. When I pick the team I don’t think about the previous week but about the work we’ve done during the week."
Mancini was also asked for his opinion on how Geoffrey Kondogbia, Stevan Jovetic and Danilo D’Ambrosio are playing: "Geoffrey had one of his best matches yet against Empoli. He dropped off a bit physically in the last 25 minutes but I think he’s doing really well and can be an important player for us. Jovetic has been out of the team for tactical reasons, but he’s a quality player. Danilo is doing well since Davide Santon got injured and was one of our best players on Sunday. He’ll be able to play more if he keeps that up."
With the transfer window in full swing, Mancini was asked whether Sampdoria striker Eder would be joining the club: "He’s a key player for Sampdoria and I can’t see them letting him go. Samp are asking for Dodo, who needs to play because he’s coming back from an injury. No player has come to me to ask to leave, so right now there is no movement. Felipe Melo is training normally and when his suspension is over he’ll be back in the squad."
Finally, Mancini named some of his starting line-up for the visit of Sassuolo: "Samir Handanovic, Miranda, Jeison Murillo, Gary Medel and Ivan Perisic."
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
