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APPIANO GENTILE – Walter Mazzarri goes into tomorrow’s game against Fiorentina aiming to get back to winning ways in Serie A following the midweek Europa League victory over Qarabag. He’s also hoping to see more consistency from his side and has a number of injury concerns ahead of the clash at the Stadio Franchi. These are some of the points he discussed with journalists at today’s news conference.
Has the Europa League win taken a bit of the pressure off you?
“We put the pressure on ourselves by getting whipped last weekend. We always analyse our games, whether we win or lose, and that’s what we did yesterday.”
What’s the explanation for so many players suffering from cramp?
“You use up energy not only with your muscles, by running, jumping and using your strength. Often you use up a lot of energy with your brain too. If we’re using up energy in our heads it’s because we’re tense and we want to ravage our opponent. That’s something you work on as a coach to try and find the right balance in games. As I tell my players, football is about being alert, not tense. When a lad joins a club like this, there’s more pressure than what he was used to. But I see it only as a positive thing because it shows the players care. We played a large part of the match against Cagliari with 10 men and nobody got cramp. In that case we were off colour and I hope it was a one-off.”
What sort of game do you expect against Fiorentina?
“It’s going to be extremely tough. They’re a team that offers you no reference points. Montella never gives you any reference points. We’ll try to be organised but it won’t be easy because they move around a lot, you never know who is the centre forward and they’ve very good at keeping the ball. They’re a tough proposition even if they are missing some important players.”
To take something you’ve said during the game recently, is it possible to work on something like ‘having balls’? Do the signings of people like Vidic, Medel and Osvaldo help in that sense?
“When I’m in the dugout I have to say what I think is right to my players, then after the final whistle I’ll explain what I said. The players know that I do it to motivate them – like an electric shock. Other times I’ve used much stronger words.”
You don’t want to talk about the boos but we get the feeling that after Thursday’s game you’re more agitated than at other press conferences .
“You might think that being calm means putting on fake smile but I’ve never been likeable. I’ve heard things that I didn’t like, but even if we’d won five on the trot I’d be angry if I heard things I didn’t like. When I hear comments that are fair I take them on board; this is how I react when I hear things that are unfair.”
Which of the criticism aimed at you and the team has annoyed you most since last Sunday’s defeat?
“After a game and having got a feel for the atmosphere I already know what’s going to be written. I just have to focus on coaching. Sadly certain critics are able influence some of the people who go to the stadium and they can get an idea that doesn’t reflect the truth. I do my job, you do yours. There’s no problem with that.”
Has the Cagliari disaster knocked your players’ confidence? They seemed to be playing with fear against Qarabag.
“One thing that lots of people forgot to mention in their criticism was that we were playing a man down from the 20th minute, which can make a big difference in the modern game. I don’t think the lads were happy after playing well against Atalanta to lose like that. People react in differnet ways: some people tense up. That’s why I thanked the Curva because they got behind the team from the first minute to the last – that’s how you support a team. I’d also like to point out that the side we were playing and which everyone underestimated drew – and deserved to win – against St Etienne, who are third in the French championship. And Ligue 1 is not all that much inferior to the Italian league, if indeed it is at all. So Qarabag are a very good team and I told my players that they played well in what was not an easy match.”
After a year at Inter, do you have a message for the fans to make them realise that you’re an Interista like them?
“Those who know me know I’m not the sort to go around trying to make friends with everyone. I’m a coach, not an actor, and I was brought here based on my past achievements. I try to work hard and give my all. I’m not interested in receiving applause or having people sing my name, I just try to prove myself through hard work. The fans in the Curva know Inter and after a year I went to thank them for the first time because after a year here I think I understand what Inter is about, and I realised that they really do try to get behind the team. That’s why I went over to thank them – not because we won but because of the way they behaved, which I have to say was exemplary.”
Can you give us an update on about Palacio’s fitness?
“He’s better but not 100% yet. Fortunately we have this break now so he’ll have a bit of time to get there. He’s a key player for us when fully fit but he realises himself that it’s hard for him to express his talent if he’s not.”
Looking at his recent form, would you spend €20 million on Hernanes again?
“For a start Hernanes was very useful in helping us to reach fifth place last season. This year’s only just started and he’s played well in some games and less well in others. Obviously we can expect more from him. There are teams who splash out far greater sums of money. Hernanes’ price tag is relative.”
Can you tell us something about the injured players?
“I think Dodo is ok now but I need to have another look at him today. I’ll speak to everyone today, then we have training. Tomorrow morning I’ll have another look at everyone and after that I’ll decide who the best options are.”
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