APPIANO GENTILE – Frank de Boer wants to use the victory against Juventus as the blueprint for the rest of the season, starting with the trip to Empoli tomorrow evening.
"Tomorrow is a really important game and it will be difficult to come out on top," the Dutchman said to the journalists gathered in Appiano Gentile. "We have to show the same attitude we had against Juventus. It's a big game because three points will be useful.
"We won't change our formation because Ever Banega is missing. It doesn't just depend on one player, we'll play with the same intensity as Sunday and that's the key for me. We have a great squad.
"Gabigol has had three training sessions with us and he's doing well. We'll have a look at how he is today but he could be in line for a call-up.
"As I've already said, following on from the game against Juventus it's crucial to apply the same approach against the smaller teams. We'll have a better idea of where we are in our development after the Empoli game. We've only had two days to prepare for this contest but we want to give it our best shot."
Inevitably, De Boer was pressed on why he dropped Marcelo Brozovic from the line-up against the Bianconeri.
"Brozovic has to show that his role is part of the team; when he understands this I won't have any problems reinserting him. He needs to work hard. He did something that we couldn't accept, but it won't be an issue to bring him back into the side."
The Nerazzurri coach then expanded on what his players need to do to keep on winning: "I want my team to dominate matches, I ask the players to move the ball about as quickly as possible. We did really well against Juventus but we've still got ample room for improvement. We can't just have a few players pressing the ball, it has to be the whole team doing it. We want the same against Empoli."
In a similar fashion to former Nerazzurri head coach Jose Mourinho, De Boer also spoke about his view on the player-coach relationship: "I aim to treat all my players equally, I believe I am an honest person. We have a relationship based on respect and we all have to believe in our project. If someone is going against the grain, that means there's a problem. I'm close with all the lads and I want to keep up a good relationship with them.
"We have a really strong squad and we have to show it all the time, both in training and in games. The players have quality, but that doesn't account for anything unless you're prepared to put the effort in. Talent can't exist without hard work."
The questions kept returning to the win against Juventus, but the Inter manager was keeping the focus on the here and now: "Obviously it was a fantastic result but now we have to win the next game. I hope there are many more equally important fixtures to come in my career. As for whether we are Scudetto contenders, I think we've still got a long journey in front of us. We need to continue with the same mindset and take things one step at a time. We'll only understand how far we've gone in the last few matches of the season."
To wrap up, De Boer spoke about the new owner Jindong Zhang and president Erick Thohir, as well as Maurco Icardi's recent performances. "They were all pleased with the victory and we had a lovely dinner together afterwards. Suning, Zhang and Thohir showed they're right behind the team.
"Icardi is a top player and I'm very pleased with how he works. He's the captain and he has to show it, not with words but with action. That, for me, is what being a great footballer is about."
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