Roberto Mancini felt Geoffrey Kondogbia “changed the game” as Inter beat Napoli, but denied they took a negative approach.
Mauro Icardi scored one and provided the assist for Marcelo Brozovic in a 2-0 victory, while Stevan Jovetic was denied by a Kalidou Koulibaly goal-line clearance.
Roberto Mancini felt Geoffrey Kondogbia “changed the game” as Inter beat Napoli, but denied they took a negative approach.
Mauro Icardi scored one and provided the assist for Marcelo Brozovic in a 2-0 victory, while Stevan Jovetic was denied by a Kalidou Koulibaly goal-line clearance.
“It was a game in which everyone played very well. In the opening 20-25 minutes Napoli swarmed around and caused us problems with their passing, but we deserved the victory,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset Premium.
“When Kondogbia started to play and wasn’t sitting so deep, the game changed. Of course you don’t get to beat a side like Napoli without running some risks at the back.
“Players alternate good and less good moments during a season. Kondogbia is young and needs time to settle into Serie A. He has quality and has proved he can be a great player, but Serie A is a tough League.”
Icardi took his tally for the current campaign up to 15 goals – half those of Capocannoniere Gonzalo Higuain.
“A player can even improve at the age of 31, so Mauro can always work on his game and do better. He’s always been a 20-goal per season player.
“I thought Icardi and Stevan Jovetic could’ve done better at certain moments of the season, as they have different characteristics and therefore can play together.
“They did well this evening, less so on other occasions. Against a side like Napoli you tend to have the utmost concentration, whereas against Torino last time we let our guard drop and made mistakes. That is part of the growth process.”
Inter had 32 per cent possession in this 2-0 victory, so is it safe to say they played a counter-attacking approach on home turf?
“I won’t comment on that. When you play against a team that passes better, you must try to limit their spaces. Napoli didn’t do much to deserve a goal tonight.”
The Nerazzurri temporarily close to within three points of Roma, who face a tricky trip to Atalanta on Sunday. Can they aim for the Champions League places?
“I don’t think we’ve got much of a chance, but we have to keep trying and will see where we are on May 15.
“There were some undeserved negative results, we were top of the table until January 6, so we’ll see if there are regrets at the end of the season, but not today.”
Mancini reacted with irritation when Mediaset Premium asked if he put his ugly row with Maurizio Sarri behind him.
“We shook hands, they took 50 photographs of it, so why are you asking me this? Thank you and goodbye.”