Piero Ausilio insists injuries have played a large part in Inter’s disappointing start to the season, as he reaffirms faith in Walter Mazzarri.
Piero Ausilio insists injuries have played a large part in Inter’s disappointing start to the season, as he reaffirms faith in Walter Mazzarri.
After being defeated 2-0 by bottom club Parma on Saturday, Walter Mazzarri’s side lie ninth in Serie A, and some fans have called for the Coach’s head.
Despite the poor start, Mazzarri appears to have the confidence of the Inter boardroom, and Ausilio pointed to mitigating circumstances as an explanation for the Beneamata’s indifferent form.
“The problems are related to the fact players are missing in the key position for Mazzarri – the wing-backs,” Ausilio insisted in an interview to Telelombardia.
“This means that some people are having to play every game.
“The 3-5-2 requires a lot of physical exertion, especially in that position, and the play suffers because they aren’t training throughout the week because they’re playing a game every three days.
“Mazzarri can make his impact felt during the week, during the match preparation, but in these conditions it’s not possible, because it’s the same players who are playing every game.
“Dodo and Hernanes should not have played on Saturday, and didn’t train until Saturday, but they made themselves available to the team despite the risk of an injury.
“Under certain conditions the fire on the field is reduced to a flicker and it’s not the Coach’s fault.”
Ausilio also reiterated that despite the pressure from fans, Mazzarri’s job is safe until at least the end of the season.
“I respect the fans and their opinions, even those in the minority that don’t want Mazzarri to remain on the Inter bench.
“Against Napoli the team was applauded off the park. You can like or dislike Mazzarri but you can’t question his abilities as a Coach.
“At the end of the year we’ll assess [Mazzarri’s] contract situation. With a full-team on the field Mazzarri would win every game 3-0.
“I will confirm what everyone at the club has said – in June 2015, Mazzarri will be our Coach.”