MILAN - He may only have joined the club 10 days ago but Frank de Boer is adamant his Inter side are ready for the big Serie A kick-off.
The Dutch coach has been working hard on the training ground to instill his ideas in the squad before their season-opener against Chievo on Sunday night and while he admits that more time would have been an advantage he is confident his team is set to go.
"I'm very enthusiastic that we're finally starting and that there's something at stake now," he began at a news conference on Saturday.
"We've only had one friendly game to acquire information about the team and get to know the players personally but I'm confident they're ready for the first game and I'm looking forward to it.
"Of course it would have been better to have more time to prepare physically and also technically, but I'm not worried. In the last week and a half I've seen the players are eager to improve physically and learn the tactics we want to employ and hopefully we'll be able to see some of that tomorrow.
"I'm confident they've understood what we want and they believe in it – that's the most important thing."
The boss went on to outline exactly what he expects from his charges when they cross the white line at the Stadio Bentegodi.
"First of all you have to play with your heart. We have a lot of talented players but if we really want to be a team we have to fight for each other – that's what I always expect to see. We can't depend on just one player.
"We always have a lot of respect for our opponents but we'll look to dominate games as much as possible and create lots of chances.
"We have to be physically ready for that and understand when we can dominate games. Dominating is not only playing in the other team's half or in their box, but also being in a compact zone and getting the opposition to play where you want them to play.
"I think this group can do that. It's not about changing mentality, but it's a philosophy I think every player can learn.
"We want to try and win every game, then at the end of the season we'll see where we are. Of course I want to win the league and we'll see if that's realistic in a few months' time – if we're fighting for first or second or third place. We have lots of games to play and it depends a little on whether you get lucky with injuries as well.
"We've seen that it hasn't been easy to be top of Serie A in the last few years but I've come here to win prizes. Hopefully that will happen in the first year but it could happen in the second. We'll see."
De Boer went on to discuss his own footballing influences and how he likes to play.
"The Dutch school has had an enormous influence on the game around the world, especially during Johan Cruyff's era, but you can learn lots from Germany and England and other countries too. I'm not focused solely on the Dutch school; you have to be open and I want to take all the best things from different places, including new technology and make my own DNA.
"I like to play attractive football but I'm also realistic and if I see that we're only able to do certain things right now then we'll play that way. Of course you want to entertain the fans but results are also important. It's a balancing act."
With Jeison Murillo serving a suspension on Sunday, Andrea Ranocchia is expected to line up alongside Joao Miranda at the heart of the defence.
"Ranocchia is a very good player. Two or three years ago he was one of Italy's best defensive talents and I believe he's still got it in him. I'm sure I can get him where I want him to be and give him confidence. If you play here you need to have quality and I'm sure he'll show that if he plays."
The coach then responded to a question about some of the players Inter have been linked with and whether he feels the squad is complete.
"We need a very strong squad to play the way we play and perhaps we're a bit short in midfield at the moment. Joao Mario and Sissoko are very interesting players because they offer something we could do with in this team.
"Inter have a lot of good players and you have to make choices. I'm a professional and I'm used to making decisions – some are nice and some are less nice to take but that's the life of a manager at a big club like Inter.
"It's a very long season and we need everybody. You have to be disappointed if you don't play but you also have to give me good signals in training or in the next game – that's the best signal you can give to me."
Finally, De Boer was asked if he has spoken to any of his fellow countrymen to get the lowdown on Serie A.
"I've spoken to Aron Winter, who is a very good friend of mine, and Clarence Seedorf as they have a lot of experience of playing in Italy but I have to make my own experience and not lose my own identity.
"Inter signed me because I'm Frank de Boer and I want to show them that I'm capable of managing this team during what will hopefully be some very successful years."
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LIVE! CONFERENZA STAMPA FRANK DE BOER PRIMA DI CHIEVOVERONA-INTER 20.08.2016 12:30 CEST
