Roberto Mancini looks forward to facing Lazio, welcomes back Hernanes and insists Inter “will challenge for third place.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“The lads are doing well in training, as they did last week. Clearly after a victory everything seems better and we really needed that,” he said after a 2-0 win at Chievo.
Roberto Mancini looks forward to facing Lazio, welcomes back Hernanes and insists Inter “will challenge for third place.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“The lads are doing well in training, as they did last week. Clearly after a victory everything seems better and we really needed that,” he said after a 2-0 win at Chievo.
“Lazio are an excellent side who are playing well and I’ve seen defeats they deserved to win. They are rapid, counter-attack with several players and can hurt us. We must try above all to act as a team, that is the fundamental thing.
“A victory can give us great self-belief going forward into 2015.”
Hernanes has been out of action recently, but is back in the squad to face his former teammates.
“Hernanes is better, he trained all week with us. He’s not ready to play the entire match, but he’ll be on the bench and could come on during the game.
“In that role we need a player who can change the game, which is what Kovacic did against Chievo, but clearly with his quality he can do so much more and has huge room for improvement.
“I maintain if players can work with each other as long as they attack and defend well. I believe Kovacic and Hernanes are prepared for that.
“Apart from being in the back four, Hernanes can do anything. He can play in any role in any system, as he runs hard, can defend and attack. A player so versatile can be very useful to the team.
“Osvaldo would’ve been an option to start, but unfortunately he had family problems and we can’t do anything about that.”
Mancini was asked whether he was satisfied with his first month at the helm of Inter since replacing Walter Mazzarri.
“We have lost twice, so I cannot be satisfied with the results. I am satisfied with the bond that has been created with the players and the way the team is improving, so if we continue this then I hope we’ll make up for those lost points in future.
“I say the campaign is still very long. Inter started to target the Champions League places and we’ll continue along that path, as I am certain we’ll have the chance to challenge for third place. Right now it’s not important to look at the table, but to focus on playing good football. I think we’ll be up there in three or four months.
“What gives me hope is that the chances Chievo had were gifted by banal errors from us, so if we work hard then we can avoid those. Overall I am happy with the way Inter took the initiative against Chievo, kept the line high and tried to attack throughout. I like this attitude, but we need to improve a great deal.
“I think it will be a group of teams fighting for third place. Of course we can’t afford to fall too far back, so we need a series of positive results. Don’t forget a few weeks ago Fiorentina were behind Inter, now they are close to Napoli, so things can change quickly.”