APPIANO GENTILE – On the eve of Inter’s trip to face Roma tomorrow evening, Frank de Boer took questions from journalists at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti.
The Inter coach was keen to emphasise the need for his team to make faster starts to games.
"We have spoken amongst ourselves about these slow starts. I no longer want to see the kind of attitude on display against Sparta Prague. We need to have the same focus in every single game.
"A match doesn’t begin with the referee’s whistle but at least one day before. We need to be fully focused before the game itself," Frank de Boer commented.
The Inter coach acknowledged that games against the likes of Roma are bound to motivate the players, but underlined that his men need to be up for every game regardless of the opposition.
"We need to work on our own approach, so that we have the same attitude against every team."
The Dutchman says he has the luxury of choosing from a full squad of players, but knows his side face a tough task in Rome.
"Roma are a very strong side. They have quality players in every area of the pitch. We need to make sure we’re ready to take them on, or it will turn into a difficult evening for us.
"Both teams want to win, whether it’s in the league or the cup. We are two teams full of quality. We just need to time to get to where we deserve to be. Roma have the ability to beat anyone."
De Boer also praised Roma captain Francesco Totti: "He’s a top player, who can change a game at any time. It’s difficult to mark him because he has a lot of experience.
"Just a few days ago he showed Europe just what he is still capable of."
When asked about the physical shape of his players, the boss replied: "Joao Mario trained and is fine, as is Brozovic. We have many fit players that could make the squad. Ansaldi has hardly played so he probably doesn’t have 90 minutes in him, but he’s okay and will be in the squad."
The Inter coach also downplayed the importance of media coverage of the team’s performance: "I have no issue with the press. It’s natural for different things to be written after a win or a loss.
"When we lose, I already have other things to think about, I have to work on this project and on our philosophy.
"We played badly against Sparta Prague, but in the next training session I saw that the team had made steps forward.
"I always talk to the players, when one does something wrong they need to understand what needs to change. If a player understands their error, that’s positive in my opinion."
De Boer also issued a note of caution regarding the use of social media.
"All my players need to realise that social media is important, but can also be dangerous. They need to know when and when not to use it, that goes for everyone," he said.
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