Mateo Kovacic has spoken about Inter’s struggles this season, and his desire to remain with the Nerazzurri.
The Croat has been in good form for the club so far this season, managing five goals in eight games in all competitions.
The team, however, has struggled and currently lie 10th in Serie A after successive defeats to Cagliari and Fiorentina.
Mateo Kovacic has spoken about Inter’s struggles this season, and his desire to remain with the Nerazzurri.
The Croat has been in good form for the club so far this season, managing five goals in eight games in all competitions.
The team, however, has struggled and currently lie 10th in Serie A after successive defeats to Cagliari and Fiorentina.
“We are perhaps lacking in strength a little bit,” Kovavic has told Il Giornale today.
“But also we’ve been lacking in conviction and personality. In certain situations we haven’t been moving as Mazzarri tells us to, even without the ball.”
The 20-year-old Croatian joined Inter from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013, and the young playmaker is keen to remain at San Siro.
“Thohir is building something new – a project, a new stadium. They tell me I am an important part of that project, so I really want to stay here for a long time.”
Kovacic caused concern for Inter fans when he limped off during Croatia’s game against Azerbaijan, but the midfielder moved to reassure fans.
“Let’s see on Friday. The field was slippery, and I twisted my left leg. I felt bad, but not too bad. I didn’t want to risk it though, so I stopped, as we were already in the lead.”
Inter face Napoli on Sunday night, in what is being billed as a crucial game for both sides after their respective poor starts to the season, and Kovacic is an admirer of the Partenopei.
“I really like Mertens. And what can you say about Higuain? Then they also have Hamsik and Insigne, so they’re very strong in attack.
“We must be wary, Hamsik, Higuain and Mertens have just scored two goals each for their national sides.”
Should Inter fall to defeat again, the pressure from fans on Coach Walter Mazzarri will only increase after the former Napoli boss was whistled during the home defeat to Cagliari.
“I don’t hear the crowd whistling, because I’m focused on the game. However, after the last two games they were right to whistle us – they expect more from Inter, and Inter is all of us – the players and the Coach.
“Mazzarri has taught me so much, how to get out of defensive phases, where to stand on the field, so many things. I think if you can score and play well in Italy you can do so in any country in the world.
“For us, [Sunday] will be three fundamental points, having lost the last six. Of course if we drop nine, that is very bad.
“But all is not lost. Football is like this – one day you are third and the next seventh. This is the case for us. Now if we win, everything changes.”