Claudio Ranieri admits Wesley Sneijder does not yet fit into Inter’s favoured tactics after a shock defeat to Lecce.
Claudio Ranieri admits Wesley Sneijder does not yet fit into Inter’s favoured tactics after a shock defeat to Lecce.
The Nerazzurri had won seven Serie A games on the trot before today’s surprise 1-0 loss at the Stadio Via del Mare.
“Today we came up against a great goalkeeper and a team that defended very well,” said the Coach.
“We then got too anxious and weren’t sharp enough in attack. We also hit the woodwork and had two goals quite rightly disallowed, so were unable to get through a difficult game.”
Sneijder started the match, but he was substituted at half-time for Ricky Alvarez, shelving the 4-3-1-2 system.
“At the moment we are better with the 4-4-2 and this is why I took off Sneijder so we went back to the system we feel is more our own. Sneijder needs to be free to roam and I cannot force him to play out wide.
“He can play in a 4-4-1-1 or a diamond midfield, but at the moment that’s not going well for us. I tried that system today, but it didn’t bear fruit.
“Now we are three points off the Champions League places and that has to be our objective. The team had a great run up until now. It gets difficult because I have to find a way of introducing Diego Forlan and Sneijder, who can give us a step up in terms of quality.”
Thiago Motta was left behind amid reports of his imminent move to Paris Saint-Germain.
“I have asked the club for Thiago Motta to stay and he will certainly remain.”