APPIANO GENTILE - Frank de Boer expects Atalanta to provide a stern test for his side when they meet on Sunday afternoon but is keen to see further progress from his men following Thursday's Europa League win against Southampton at the Meazza.
"It's always better to play at home and Bergamo is traditionally a tough place to go, especially with the fans they have, but this is a good chance for us to see how we're shaping up," De Boer told journalists at his pre-match news conference on Saturday.
"I expect to see a real battle in midfield – that's where you start moves and where the game will be won.
“We were very compact in the first half against Southampton, although our general philosophy is to press the opposition high up the pitch. Southampton are a good side and very physical so we did things a bit differently against them. It doesn't mean we're going to play that way all the time, though. We need to up the pace when we have the ball.”
The coach also responded to media criticism: “I can't change what the papers write. All I can do is work hard to get us results. I have great confidence in our coaching staff and the players. We showed improvement against Southampton and I think we're heading in the right direction.”
Brozovic returned to the starting line-up on Thursday and De Boer declared himself partially satisfied with the Croatian's performance.
"Marcelo played well and showed the sort of tactical discipline I want to see, although he can do better on the ball. I'm pleased with his defensive contribution. He's a good player and he'll prove to be very important to us.”
Asked about Gabriel Barbosa's contribution to the team, he added: “Gabriel is working hard. The game is played at a high intensity in Italy and he needs to adapt.”
Inter's tactical set-up was another subject of discussion. De Boer explained: “Sometimes it's better to play with two midfielders sitting deeper and a man in the hole, other times two pushed a bit further forward and maybe Medel deep. The midfielders need to get up into the box and support Icardi or whoever's playing centre forward. The full-back on the opposite flank needs to do that too.
"We played with five at the back in our first game and Juventus play with three or five in defence depending on whether they're attacking or defending. We adapted to our opponents but the most important thing for me is to be very disciplined tactically, as a team, and be in control of the game.”
Finally, De Boer commented on Icardi's contribution on Thursday.
"Icardi played very well against Southampton. He put in a good shift for the team. I know he's a striker and he always wants to score but he sent out an important message to the team: the captain needs to work as hard as anyone and the team followed his lead. It wasn't easy for him but he did really well and I'm very happy with him.”
