APPIANO GENTILE – Stefano Pioli wants his players to uphold the club's tradition and play with passion and pride when they step out at San Siro for the Milan derby on Sunday night.
Having had ten days to work with the team, the new Nerazzurri coach believes all the ingredients are in place for Inter to produce a top display against the Rossoneri and claim the derby spoils.
"There's a good atmosphere about the place and I'm proud of the way the players have been training in the last few days," he explained at a press conference on Friday. "I've inherited a squad of top professionals who are all willing to listen and work hard.
"We must play with intensity and focus. I've only been here a few days but I've tried to convey my passion and the belief I have in these players. They've responded really well. Now we need to take all the good things we've done on the training ground and reproduce them on the pitch.
“Inter are one of the best clubs in the world and I've joined them at the peak of my career. I have a superb squad to work with and the club's full support. The fans have given me a great welcome too – you can see they really love this club. I'm positive and confident."
Many of Inter's players have been off playing matches for their national sides and only just returned but Pioli insists fatigue is not an issue.
"Everyone is looking good, especially mentally. When you're strong mentally you can always find the energy you need, regardless of any physical fatigue.
"I think I'll have everyone available and everyone will be ready to play. It's easy for me to pick the team because whoever I go with I'm sure will be up to the task. I've always believed that it's up to the mind to control the body. We must fight tooth and nail for every ball, from the first minute to the last.
"We've trained really well. I'm experienced enough to know that my players are responding well. In a match like this what I do is important but the players pulling out all the stops is even more important.
“We're Inter and we want to climb the table because we're not where we should be. The derby offers us a great opportunity and we'll do everything in our power to make the most of it.
“My staff and I are focused on conveying our ideas and the right motivation. We can't wait to play this match because there's nothing like the derby and we want to make sure it's ours.
“We need to attack as a unit and that's something we're working on. We have the players to make sure Mauro gets plenty of support in attack.
“We must aim to catch our opponents off guard and to stretch them. We want to play attacking football but it's not how many strikers you have that determines how dangerous you are.
“Inter are a prestigious club with a great history so it's absolutely vital that we play with passion. We must leave every last ounce of energy on the pitch.
“We have to think little about the past and a lot about the future. All that matters is what we do starting from this Sunday. I have an excellent squad and we'll show our worth.”
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
