APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has urged his team to push on from Wednesday's Coppa Italia match against Juventus and use the remainder of the Serie A campaign to chase down their target of Champions League football for next season.
Speaking to the media in Appiano Gentile before Inter's Sunday evening fixture against Palermo, the Nerazzurri coach said: "Winning 3-0 and not getting to the final does leave you feeling a tad disappointed but I hope it helps the team realise that we can achieve something good this season. We need to remain calm and play with confidence in the remaining 11 games."
Meanwhile Roma beat Fiorentina last night to extend their good run and the Giallorossi now occupy third place by themselves.
"They've won seven in a row and they deserve to be third. But if we win tomorrow we'll be five points off with the head-to-head still to play. There are lots of games and lots of points to play for."
Inter have sometimes performed below par in some recent months but Mancini says he's not rueful.
"You build a team brick by brick and you have to go through good times and less good times. We've been a bit unlucky too, dropping points in the dying seconds. There's no regret. We're still in line for our target.
"We all want the same thing and the lads' attitude has always been excellent. We have a very young team so when results don't come for a while some of them might get a bit demoralised. But then you have a game like Wednesday's and that gives you fresh belief that perhaps you can do things you didn't think you could. The lads always train with the aim of winning but sometimes one match can help alter the course of your season."
The manager was asked about Ivan Perisic, who sparkled in midweek against Juventus.
"Ivan, like Kondogbia – who is available for tomorrow – and like Brozovic last year, is one of those players who need a few extra months to settle and get to grips with a new league. Their quality will come through in the long run and I'm sure they'll be very successful."
Responding to a question about Mauro Icardi's role as captain, Mancini went on: "It's not easy to captain any team, not only Inter. Mauro is part of this club's future and being captain is helping him to grow. To be captain you need character and you need to be respected by the other players."
Did the comments made by Nerazzurri officials after the match in Turin shake up the team?
"Sometimes hearing certain things from management figures can help. The players know that Piero [Ausilio] and the others have a lot of respect for their ability."
The coach then declined to reveal any of his starting line-up but did provide a fitness update on Jeison Murillo: "He had a thigh problem but he was better yesterday. We'll have another look at him today and tomorrow."
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