Roberto Mancini tells Inter to focus on Atalanta rather than Celtic, still believes in Europe and calls Yaya Touré.
The Nerazzurri visit Bergamo on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This Lombardy Derby is a traditionally tricky fixture, one Inter haven’t won for seven years. Mancini was asked if he knew who the last Coach to conquer the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia was?
Roberto Mancini tells Inter to focus on Atalanta rather than Celtic, still believes in Europe and calls Yaya Touré.
The Nerazzurri visit Bergamo on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This Lombardy Derby is a traditionally tricky fixture, one Inter haven’t won for seven years. Mancini was asked if he knew who the last Coach to conquer the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia was?
“Is it me?” he laughed when told that was the right answer. “I remember, Mario Balotelli scored and was playing wide left. Patrick Vieira was on target too.
“Atalanta are coming off an undeserved defeat to Fiorentina. They are a very solid side and it is always tough to play against them.
“My players are improving day by day. Games can be decided by one-off incidents, but the attitude is very positive and I am satisfied with that. How long before we see my Inter? I think it’ll take a while.”
Inter broke their winless streak by thrashing Palermo 3-0, but will Mancio rest players ahead of the Europa League clash with Celtic?
“For the moment tomorrow’s game is more important. I don’t think I need to rest anyone, as there is time to recover. I fear Davide Santon needs to rest, as he hadn’t played regularly before coming here, but I’m not sure he can afford to rest right now.”
Much has been said about Mauro Icardi’s future after he refused to celebrate his brace against Palermo.
“He seems very relaxed and he’s not the kind of guy who gets upset about things. I don’t mind a lack of celebration if he scores two goals every game! I personally think celebrating is wonderful for a player, but it makes no difference to me.”
Mancini has not disguised he’d love to bring Yaya Touré to Inter next season after they worked together at Manchester City. Do the Nerazzurri need to be in the Champions League for that to happen?
“I still believe in third place. We must never give up, as with a run of victories everything could change. Serie A needs great players to be at the top, which is where we were for 25 years.
“We hope to be back there and Yaya Touré is a great player. If we managed to sign him, it would be great for all of Italian football, just as it would if any Serie A side bought a champion.”