Stramaccioni: “I have great respect for Cluj”

Ahead of tomorrow’s match against Cluj, Inter’s coach Andrea Stramaccioni held a press conference today.

What is the great danger of the game against Cluj?
“The danger is to underestimate them and to not realize it. They ended up on equal points in their Champions League group. They still have eight of eleven players left from their starting line-up in the Champions League. I’m sure we will not underestimate them. We have prepared in detail to go out on the pitch with maximum concentration. They should never be underestimated. They lost Bastos and Sougou but remain a dangerous team.”

How is Kovacic doing? Is he capable of playing 90 minutes from the start?
“It is not my intention to rotate players at the expense of the quality of the team. Tomorrow I will field the best team. Exceptions are made only for physical reasons. I’m not talking about rotating players, which proves how important the tournament is for Inter and we will thus field the best team. Kovacic complained about problems with his ankle at the end of Saturday’s practice and I will assess his condition. If I use him, it means he’s fine.”

Has the defense of four come back to stay or is it because of absences?
“A team should always be considered as a whole. It is difficult to talk about a part of the team without evaluating the entire team. With these new midfielders, with Stankovic and Schelotto, we have now supplemented the different parts of the team and we can now go through the phase of work that we have only been able to do sometimes. The defence of four has given us the opportunity to make use of the trident, our strongest point.”

Is your ambition to reach the final? Who could you meet?
“I do not think about anything other than tomorrow’s match. I have great respect for Cluj, their coach does a very good job. I think one only reaches the final by taking one step at a time. For me, right now there is only Inter-Cluj.”

Alvarez flashes when he enters. This may be his match. How can you help him find continuity?
“I think his problems have only been continuity when he has been available. He has undeniably qualities from a technical point of view, he always shows that during training sessions. For him to be able to do this in matches at 100 percent, he needs continuity when he is available, He trains well. Having decided that we should play with three offensive players, he and Guarin are the only two who can play as a support for the two attackers. It is an important part of this tactical project and I think he and Guarin are the only ones who can act behind the attack.”

When you coached the Primavera you got a proposal from Romania?
“I have an excellent relationship with Popescu and Hagi. I have a good relationship with them and I was in Romania to watch young players when I was in Roma. There I got to know them. I never received any official requests, I was under contract with Roma. Who I prefer to meet? Cluj is a respectable opponent, They failed to qualify for the next round of the Champions League with little margin. I see no reason to talk about any other team than Cluj.”

What were the criteria when the players were selected for the list for the Europa League?
“It has been a difficult choice, we have to pay for announcing the list at the end of July. With the changes made, we have to pay for a team building done incrementally. When I was finished with the composite, I could not add all the players I wanted. With few players to chose, I chose to focus on the players that complemented parts of the team where I had fewer options. It was not a technical choice but an administrative. Still, in tomorrow’s game, I have players that I can not use.”
 
Can the team go all the way with all their objectives?
“A club like Inter has the duty and power to give everything to achieve them. I do not like to make proclamations, or other types of statements. We have never dismissed any tournament. We are in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with a wide open result and tomorrow we play an important game in Europe, well aware that we are the team that has played the most. Due to injuries we have many players who have played far too many games. That’s no excuse, only an analysis.”

Doping controls in football is increasing. Do you agree?
“To refine the product is smart. So therefore, I believe there is a great openness from my side and our side. All development is necessary to perfect a huge world like the one of football.”

Two weeks ago, the winter’s transfer market closed. Do you hope you now have more leeway in terms of rumors and what do you think about Icardi as a player?
“I have already said that there have been measures that Inter have tried to implement that in my opinion is related to the current circumstances. But at the same time, I testify that Inter are working for the future. I have no comments to make regarding any names. There are several namens, but I can repeat that Inter are working well in my opinion. It has always shown support for me. For us like before the season, as a team that has replaced 15 players there can obviously be ups and downs. We are working with important situations.”

Can Samuel still be a part of Inter’s new project?
“Samuel is working hard with the staff. He is a player that you do not need to say more about, in my project, he is a supporting player and there is no doubt that he is and will be a part of it. He has a great relationship with everyone, even with the president. Consequently, his future will be handled in line with the directors. I repeat, for me he is a supporting player. ”

Source: fcinternews.it