APPIANO GENTILE – He doesn’t just defend, run and cross, he can put them away at the other end too. And after adding another to his tally against Chievo and becoming Inter’s second highest goalscorer this season, Yuto Nagatomo spoke to Mediaset today.

The first question was precisely about Monday’s match: "It’s a shame we drew because we could have won it, especially as my second goal wasn’t offside, but that happens sometimes unfortunately. Now we have to think positively and concentrate on winning the next one on Sunday."

On the subject of referring decisions going against the Nerazzurri, the Japanese wideman was reminded of what Ricky Alvarez said after Monday’s game. He agreed: "Yes, it is very strange that we haven’t been given a penalty this season but, as I said, we have to be positive."

Nagatomo was naturally asked about the arrival of his fellow countryman Keisuke Honda in Milan and the footballing rivalry with the Rossoneri. "He and I have chatted about lots of things regarding Italian football and Italian customs. He’s a top professional and a very nice guy. As a footballer he’s perfectly capable of playing in Serie A."

So who will win the next derby? "I can’t tell you that. What I can say is that on a personal level I’ve played against AC Milan six times, won five and drawn one. And yes, after the game I’d obviously like to sing ‘Chi non saltare rossoneri è…’"

Is Nagatomo ‘jealous’ in any way that there’s another Japanese in town now? "No, although everyone in Japan will start supporting AC Milan now so I’ll have to score even more goals," he smiled. "He’s a great friend of mine and I’m glad he’s here."

What about the work Nagatomo is doing with Walter Mazzarri? "My game’s come on a lot with Mazzarri, but I must keep improving and to do that I have to keep trying even harder in training."

How can Inter get out of this rut? "We’re playing well compared to the way we were at the end of last season, but unfortunately the results aren’t coming for us. It’s a shame but we have to think positive and always give it everything we’ve got."

MILAN – Nicola Rizzoli of Bologna has been named referee for Genoa v Inter, the Serie A 2013/14 Week 20 match on Sunday 19 January 2014 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Rizzoli will be joined by assistants Di Liberatore and Cariolato. Fourth official Manganelli and additional assistants Valeri and Pinzani complete the line-up.

APPIANO GENTILE – Inter trained this morning at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti. The Nerazzurri focused on a short match, split into three periods of 15 minutes, as they build up to their Serie A 2013/14 Week 20 match against Genoa on Sunday. The game at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris kicks off at 15:00.

MILAN – Four league games, a friendly and a week off: that’s what Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 January have in store for the main Inter academy teams. The Primavera will play against another side near the top of the table in the shape of Chievo. The Allievi Nazionali Serie A and B will entertain Bologna, while the Allievi Nazionali Lega Pro travel to Monza. The Giovanissimi Regionali take on Südtirol in a friendly, before they play in the league at Mantova on Sunday. Finally, the Giovanissimi Nazionali will enjoy a week off.

Here are the full details of the games involving the Nerazzurri academy:

Salvatore Cerrone‘s Primavera (Under-19s) will entertain Chievo Verona in their Week 13 league match. It all kicks off at 11:30 on Saturday 18 January.

Gianmario Corti‘s Allievi Nazionali Serie A and B (Under-17s) host Bologna in their Week 15 league encounter. They meet on Sunday 19 January (kick-off 14:30).

Benoit Cauet takes his Allievi Nazionali Lega Pro (Under-16s) to Monza on Sunday 19 January for their Week 15 league match (kick-off 15:00).

The Giovanissimi Nazionali (Under-15s) and Stefano Bellinzaghi have the weekend off.

Marco Mandelli and his Giovanissimi Regionali (Under-14s) side will be in action twice this weekend. They meet Südtirol in a friendly on Saturday 18 January (kick-off 15:00) before travelling to Mantova for their rearranged Week 15 league game on Sunday (kick-off 11:00).

JAKARTA – Here are the statements made by FC Internazionale president Erick Thohir today.

"I’ve often said that Inter must improve on their position from last season. A realistic target is probably to finish fourth or fifth. But we also have to see what Napoli, Fiorentina and Verona do, especially since Inter have slipped up in recent games.

"You can’t build a business in two or three months and then expect everything to be sorted. It takes time. Besides, my idea of how a club should be run is similar to the way things are done in the United States. They have lots of ideas on how to strike a balance between having a healthy club and getting the maximum sports performance."