MILAN - Inter won a sixth straight league game last night and head coach Stefano Pioli appeared as a guest on Rai Radio 1's "Radio Anch'io Sport" this morning to discuss his side's form.
Pioli first assessed the Nerazzurri's prospects of qualifying for next season's Champions League: "We're on a good run - everyone can see that - but it's too early to talk about Champions League football. There are still lots of matches to play and we have to give 100% in every game. Everyone is pulling in the same direction at Inter. While the owners are physically a long way away, they are right behind us in every area. We're laying the foundations for a bright future and there's attention to detail in everything we do. I've come into a wonderful institution - it's a level I'd never experienced before and provides us with the ideal working conditions. The owners' ambitions make us accountable, there's a big project here and that drives us on to give our best. However, we must focus on the present and our performances, as that's the only way we'll get results.
"I have a lots of talented players with genuine ability. They've all realised that we have to work hard for one another and play as a team to be successful. We can still improve in a number of areas, such as how we move the ball and by becoming more unpredictable in the final third. But when you have ability and everyone is buying in, you're on the right track. It's important to have good players and competition for places, above all when there's respect. The starting 11 is important but often games turn on substitutions at specific moments. We can only be consistent if everyone continues to be flexible and puts the team's best interests above their own. We know we've started a journey which will run until the end of May and we have good sides ahead of us. All we can do is train hard and give 100% to try and win as many games as possible."
Pioli has been credited with changing his side's mindset: "The mental side is very significant in any sport. When players have confidence they can power through when the going gets tough on any given day. A lot is made of the technical, tactical and physical side but the mental side is the most important - your approach to work and matches."
The coach is also unfazed by reports that Diego Simeone is being lined up to replace him: "If I'm perfectly honest, that doesn't bother me one bit. I'm coaching a great team and I know lots of my colleagues would love to be where I am. I'm focused on showing determination because ultimately the work I do here will decide my future and I'm just trying to give it my best shot."
"It's important to create an Italian spine to give the team an even clearer identity," continued Pioli. "That's one of the reasons why we brought in Gagliardini. He's a promising young player and he can play a big part both now and going forward."
Pioli was then asked his views on certain individual players, including whether Inter can lessen the strain on Icardi: "Mauro is brilliant and will keep getting better. We have players like Eder and Palacio in our squad and they can play at centre forward if need be. Gabriel Barbosa has progressed a great deal over the last three months. He's very young and comes from the other side of the world, where they have a different footballing mentality. He showed he was ready in the Coppa Italia and I believe he can be an important player for Inter."
Are Inter looking to win the Coppa Italia? "Of course, it's important for our league run too. We're trying to take the Coppa Italia very seriously because you only need to play well in four games and you're in the final. Inter must always look to win games - that's part of the club's history. It won't be easy against Lazio but we'll do all we can to make the semi-finals. I prefer a 2-0 win over a 1-0 victory, with a goal in each half. You're never relaxed at 1-0 because the match is not safe and any side in Serie A can find a way to hurt you. However, 1-0 is definitely a scoreline that shows the team's focus. I'm not surprised Juventus have gone more attacking, Allegri is a great coach and he's in control of the situation. He has great potential to work with. Juventus are a very strong team, however, they're not unbeatable."
Finally, Pioli discussed giving young players a chance: "I'm in favour of it but this is a big club and we must avoid trying to run before we can walk. We've brought Pinamonti into the first-team squad. He's a great prospect who will have a bright future. I have a great relationship with Candreva because we have the same goal - achieving all we can at Inter. What went on at Lazio wasn't so serious as to preclude a good relationship here."
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