Joao Mario insists that players 'have to be at their physical peak' in order to play in Serie A.
After revealing the difficulties faced by former boss Frank de Boer in terms of communication, the versatile Inter midfielder admitted that he preferred to play further up the pitch.
"I like playing in a more advanced position, in order to have the most possible opportunities to push forward into attack," Joao Mario continued in an interview with Tuttosport.
Joao Mario insists that players 'have to be at their physical peak' in order to play in Serie A.
After revealing the difficulties faced by former boss Frank de Boer in terms of communication, the versatile Inter midfielder admitted that he preferred to play further up the pitch.
"I like playing in a more advanced position, in order to have the most possible opportunities to push forward into attack," Joao Mario continued in an interview with Tuttosport.
"[Stefano] Pioli thought I should play more defensively in recent games and for me, there was no problem with this."
Is the Italian league tougher or easier than the 23-year-old expected?
"I thought it would be easier. It a different league from others in Europe, all the teams know how to defend well and are very aggressive.
"You have to be always at the top physically otherwise it is difficult to stand up to the competition.
"Serie A is more tactical compared to the Portuguese league and it is harder to score goals. Moreover, the level of the middle and smaller teams is higher.
"In Portugal there is more technical quality, but the title is only won by the same three teams.
"Let's say, however, that Porto, Benfica and Sporting could also excel in Italy."