APPIANO GENTILE – Having reached the midway point of the Serie A season, Walter Mazzarri took stock of Inter’s first 19 games during a news conference this afternoon.

The Nerazzurri boss began: "The draws with Sampdoria and Parma were fair because we didn’t play the football I like, but there were other games we should have won. We’ve only lost three times, they were three particular games and we know what influenced two of them… Yet even in defeat we held our own. Overall I think we can say it’s been a good first half and if we’d had six points more we could have called it excellent."

What’s the knock-on effect when you lose a game you feel you didn’t deserve to? "It’s like anything that you think you deserve but aren’t able to get… We have to try to use the anger to help us overcome the next opponent."

What difference would it have made to the season if you’d had 38 points? "Six points do make a difference. In any case, we’re just thinking about getting on with our game now."

Speaking ahead of the Nerazzurri’s visit to Genoa, Mazzarri went on to analyse the situations of Diego Milito and Mateo Kovacic.

"Milito is much better now. We’ll decide whether it’s better to start with him or bring him off the bench. We’ll see after I’ve had a chat with him.

"Kovacic has looked a much-improved player recently, but he does need to work on the defensive side of his game.

"Generally speaking, I think some of the lads have regained a bit of sharpness and hopefully they’ll all be better and sharper tomorrow. Genoa are a decent side and it’s going to be a tricky match."

What about Inter’s targets? "The players and I haven’t set ourselves any targets. I’m just thinking about producing our best in each match. We’re going to Genoa to play our game, to stay switched on defensively and try to score. I don’t know how this season will end. All I know is that you have to think you can win every time you take to the field."

Asked to comment on statements made by Gian Piero Gasperini, the coach explained first that, "it’s not true that Inter don’t try to play a team game," and then, "Inter’s history has to be defended and respected. Even when I had no connections here, I always considered Inter to be a successful club. Its history is right there before everyone’s eyes."

Is the coach considering a change of formation? "When other teams start to get to know you, you need to change things around and it’s up to the coach to come up with solutions."

Finally, there was a question about Andrea Ranocchia, a player who has been linked with a move away: could the transfer talk affect his performances? The Nerazzurri tactician replied: "I weigh everything up. I can tell you that Andrea is a consummate professional who always gives his all on the training pitch. But only he knows what he’s thinking inside he’s head."

MILAN – Italy coach Daniele Zoratto called up
four Nerazzurri youngsters for the U-17 friendly against Spain: defenders Fabio
Della Giovanna and Federico Dimarco, midfielder Saulo Brambilla and striker
Federico Bonazzoli.

Italy v Spain will be played in Chiavari on 22
January. 

APPIANO GENTILE – It’s been a year since Zdravko Kuzmanovic put pen to paper with Inter. Sitting in the Inter Channel studio today to film tonight’s episode of InterNOS, he smiled as he looked back at the images of his arrival at the club and reflected on his first 12 months: "It’s like a family here, a great big family. I’ve grown and improved over the course of the year but I’m aware I still have lots of work to do. That’s what I’m doing because I know I’ve got a lot more to give. I’ve had a few injury setbacks but I’m over them now and I’m playing. Hopefully 2014 will be a better year."

The 26-year-old also spoke about Walter Mazzarri: "He’s very thorough. He demands a high level of intensity and precision from us. He’s an excellent coach. We’ve dropped a few points but I’m sure that if we can play the way Mazzarri wants us to we’ll start turning it on again."

Chatting to show hosts Nagaja Beccalossi and Roberto Monzani, the former Stuttgart and Fiorentina midfielder went on to discuss the differences between German and Italian football: "There are no easy games in Italy because all the teams are very astute tactically. In Germany, the physical side of the game comes into it more."

He also joined in the chorus of praise for Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo ("He deserved it") before expressing his hope that one day the prestigious award will go to the player he considers "number one: Ibrahimovic. He has to win the Ballon d’Or at least once!"

The Serbian midfielder responded to lots of questions sent in by the fans, such as ‘Who are your favourite team-mates?’ He said: "I don’t have any favourites, I get on with everyone. Obviously I tend to chat a bit more with Kovacic and Handanovic as we speak the same language, but I have a good relationship with everyone."

Kuzmanovic was also quizzed about his favourite position on the pitch: "I just play where the gaffer puts me, no problem there. Anywhere in mdifield is fine by me." What about in defence? "No, definitely not!" he grinned. "That would be far too risky for the team!"

You can watch the full interview with Zdravko Kuzmanovic on tonight’s edition of InterNOS: 21:00 on Inter Channel (Sky Italia, channel 232).

MILAN – "We need to train at 100%, work
harder than ever and fight to win in every game." These statements came
from Ricky Alvarez, speaking to reporters from La Gazzetta dello Sport’s All
Star Night; an evening in which the legendary pink newspaper presented their
new website. Also present at the event was Inter’s managing director Marco
Fassone.

"We’re only thinking game by game,"
added Alvarez. The Nerazzurri midfielder was then asked to comment on some of
the recent refereeing: "We only ask that things are whistled correctly."

Alvarez was also asked about his thoughts ahead
of the World Cup in Brazil: "Obviously it would be a dream come true to
take part. I’ll do everything I can to give my all and earn my chance."