Frank de Boer discussed Inter tactics against Pescara, including the many different roles for “box-to-box midfielder” Joao Mario.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Joao Mario is available after his €40m move from Sporting CP, so will he share the midfield with Ever Banega?
Frank de Boer discussed Inter tactics against Pescara, including the many different roles for “box-to-box midfielder” Joao Mario.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Joao Mario is available after his €40m move from Sporting CP, so will he share the midfield with Ever Banega?
“I am not going to talk about who will play. Joao Mario can start, but almost everybody is fit right now and so tomorrow you’ll see who starts,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
“Joao Mario is ready to start if I decide to play him. Yuto Nagatomo has recovered and will be travelling with the squad, as everyone except Cristian Ansaldi and Marco Andreolli is available.
“I think Joao Mario is a very complete midfielder who can play on the outside, the inside, 4-4-2 and a more defensive midfielder in 4-3-3, but is also a box-to-box player. It’s an advantage that we can use him in all aspects of all systems.”
Could there be a 4-2-3-1 with Joao Mario and Gary Medel in the centre?
“Anything is possible. It depends on the players who are available, whether that system gives us the best chance to win and often small changes of details. It’s a nice system to play, like 4-3-3 with one defensive midfielder and two offensive ones.
“Marcelo Brozovic and Joao Mario have a lot of quality. Hopefully in the future they can play together – maybe they can already play together, we will see. They are very interesting players.”
The former Ajax Coach prefers a 4-3-3 system, so how is he dealing with a squad that technically wasn’t built for him, but for Roberto Mancini?
“I knew that already when I stepped in here and I am not walking away from that. I am confident with this squad we can do some very good things together. I have to deal with these players right now.”