APPIANO GENTILE - Frank de Boer addressed the media in a news conference at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti on Saturday to discuss Sunday's match between Inter and Bologna.
The Dutchman began by rejecting suggestions his team might be suffering from fatigue: "The numerous matches we've played recently won't be an issue. We gave the lads the day off yesterday because some of the players were both physically and mentally jaded after a busy three-week period. I wanted to give them some time with their families, which is very important to me."
The coach then gave an indication of when the fans might see Gabigol, after the Brazilian was unveiled on Thursday: "I want Gabigol to be slowly integrated into the team, he has to learn to learn our playing style. I've seen in training that he has a lot of ability but we must take our time. He's brilliant at running with the ball, he can score goals and he's also got great vision. There aren't many players who can do all that."
Inter have won three straight league games and De Boer was keen to single out a specific area of the pitch: "Our approach in our recent matches has been important. The midfielders are the heart of the team and obviously very important. We regularly change shape in the middle of the park but what matters is they help out both the forwards and defensively."
The door has not been closed on anyone and De Boer embraced any potential selection headaches: "It's tough for any coach. We have a lot of top players but you can only pick 11. I talk to my players a lot, we have a 25-man squad and that's something for me to figure out given it's a coach's job to pick the best side. The players must deal with that situation. Jovetic can operate behind the strikers, he's training well and he'll be ready when called upon. Ansaldi still doesn't have 90 minutes in his legs but he'll be fit enough to play some part tomorrow. Icardi is our captain and he's setting a good example for the whole group."
The Dutchman still had time to discuss Inter's options at full-back, before reviewing the start of his reign with the Nerazzurri: "We always want to improve and I'm pleased with how the wide men are doing. As I've said, what matters to me is how the players train. When a coach comes into a new club, everyone expects something special from him. I couldn't change everything in two weeks but we're progressing all the time. Brozovic won't be in my squad tomorrow."
Finally, the coach wouldn't be drawn on Inter's title prospects: "I don't want to discuss this matter. We know who the favourites are for the title and we're aware of our targets. We want to win every game. We can only achieve a semblance of success if we work hard, though we mustn't think about the Scudetto. I don't want to discuss my team for tomorrow, the players will find out who's starting after training."
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
