Roberto Mancini trusts the new-look Inter “can certainly improve” with Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri combining.
The Nerazzurri saw off nine-man Samp 2-0 despite Mauro Icardi’s saved penalty and will face Napoli or Udinese in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
“Samp are an organised team and I compliment Sinisa for what he’s doing there. It’s tough to find space when your opponents are locked down like that,” Mancio told Rai Sport.
Roberto Mancini trusts the new-look Inter “can certainly improve” with Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri combining.
The Nerazzurri saw off nine-man Samp 2-0 despite Mauro Icardi’s saved penalty and will face Napoli or Udinese in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
“Samp are an organised team and I compliment Sinisa for what he’s doing there. It’s tough to find space when your opponents are locked down like that,” Mancio told Rai Sport.
The first goal was all about the ‘New Inter,’ as Shaqiri completed a give-and-go with Podolski to score on his full debut.
“It was a good combination between Podolski and Shaqiri for the opening goal, but they made mistakes too. I am satisfied, but want to see improvement in the way we play the ball.
“Those two are behind in terms of fitness levels, but we knew that. We need to take things slowly and can certainly improve.”
This was a star-packed line-up, fielding Icardi, Mateo Kovacic, Podolski and Shaqiri simultaneously.
“If we remain as compact and tight as we did today, then we can sustain four attacking players. We need to improve our possession and passing, while we were also helped by having the extra man.
“Podolski and Palacio can both play as centre-forwards, as well as Icardi. If we improve our defending, the team feels more confident and takes more risks going forward. We have players capable of sustaining 4-2-3-1, but it all depends on how hard they are willing to work.
“It’s normal that I expect a lot from Kovacic, seeing as he is so talented. Let us not forget he’s very young and not mature enough to avoid all mistakes. In the end he will become a great champion.”
Daniel Osvaldo has reportedly been suspended by the club for not attending training for two days in a row, refusing to give news of his whereabouts.
When asked about the incident, Mancini glossed over it. “Osvaldo was at the training ground today. I saw him.”