Walter Mazzarri hopes Hernanes can revive Inter with his “quality and experience” against Sassuolo” data-scaytid=”3″>Sassuolo.
Walter Mazzarri hopes Hernanes can revive Inter with his “quality and experience” against Sassuolo.
The Nerazzurri host Sassuolo, who they beat 7-0 earlier this season, on Sunday at 19.45 GMT. Click here for a match preview.
“In football at times you have to go beyond the usual principles,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“If a team plays well then the results come, but at the moment the results count more than anything else. It’s not because our position in the table is bad, but rather it would take a weight off the players.
“For a while we haven’t been able to break the deadlock and at this level negative results can affect the growth of a squad.”
Hernanes is expected to receive his debut after the transfer from Lazio, though Ricky Alvarez is out for around three weeks.
“I hope Hernanes can do even more than he has done so far in his career. He’s a Brazilian international and can help Mateo Kovacic to grow too. We needed a player with extreme quality who can also help those with less experience. I don’t want to give him too much responsibility, but he can be useful psychologically as well.”
Although the Nerazzurri are without a victory in 2014 between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, this week President Erick Thohir released a statement assuring he had full faith in Mazzarri and would build the team with him.
“It was important for everyone, not just for me. These words, in certain situations, can be very important. The club sets the guidelines, while Danilo D’Ambrosio and Hernanes show there is a unity of intents.”
However, this morning Inter officially parted company with under-fire technical director Marco Branca.
“It’s a shame, as I always had a good rapport with him and he helped me up to this point. It’s part of the sport and I wish him all the best for the future,” continued Mazzarri.
“I didn’t expect all of these changes. It’s not easy for a Coach to control the group in these moments, but that is not an alibi. You have to take into account all of these variables, such as the change in ownership.
“You can see the glass half-empty or half-full. Perhaps at this moment the team would’ve had even more problems with a less experienced Coach. We’ll evaluate everything at the end of the season, but if Massimo Moratti and Thohir wanted me here, it’s because my history speaks for me.
“The Inter fans must also understand they have to focus on the team and the game. If cheered on, the lads can give more, especially on home turf. At the moment we are missing the goal, as for some reason we just stopped scoring.”
Inter thrashed Sassuolo 7-0 earlier this season, but since them the Serie A newcomers have beaten Milan and earned draws against Roma, Napoli and Lazio.
“Sergio Floccari has always done well in his career, Domenico Berardi is a champion, Davide Biondini, Matteo Brighi, Paolo Cannavaro and Thomas Manfredini are experienced players. This is a good squad, so we must prepare in the best way possible. In Italy there’s no such thing as an easy game.”