Walter Mazzarri is without Hernanes and Fredy Guarin against Juventus” data-scaytid=”6″>Juventus, but insists Inter are “prepared for anything.”
Walter Mazzarri is without Hernanes and Fredy Guarin against Juventus, but insists Inter are “prepared for anything.”
The Derby d’Italia kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I tried to isolate the team from everything and hope our performance will be up to the task,” he said in his Press conference.
“Is the 23-point gap between the sides accurate? That’s not for me to say. Are we the underdogs? I don’t worry about that either. If we do everything at the top level, then we can challenge anyone. The result comes from many things and we have to focus on the performance.
“The statistics show the Juventus Stadium helps them to get good results and they always have a strong start on home turf. It is a factor and we considered every element, but as I always say we have to ultimately concentrate on our own football. That is the recipe for success.
“The Bianconeri might seem unbeatable on home turf, but we are fired up and hope to have a great game. I hope some incidents will also go in our favour. We haven’t always had the results we deserved this season.
“Juventus can vary their approach from game to game, situation to situation. We worked hard all week and took everything into consideration. We are prepared for anything.”
Hernanes and Danilo D’Ambrosio arrived on transfer deadline day, but the ex-Lazio midfielder is not available because the bank guarantees needed to push the move through have not yet cleared.
“I had prepared the game with the players at my disposal anyway, so this isn’t an issue. D’Ambrosio can improve in my systems, but I was pleased he was so motivated to come to Inter.”
Esteban Cambiasso is injured and Guarin still not called up after his frustration at the failure to join Juventus in a swap deal with Mirko Vucinic.
“If the transfer deadline is that late at night, it’s only normal to consider the player won’t be 100 per cent concentrated,” noted Mazzarri. “We have to consider all of this, especially in a big game against Juventus, so I knew I wouldn’t call him up for this match.
“I don’t think Guarin’s sale in June is to be taken for granted. The club owners are sending signals, trying to do something for June, and from here to the end of the season I will evaluate all the players at my disposal.
“I consider Hernanes to be a player who can take many midfield roles and he has matured over time. I wanted players who could recover the ball and know how to start moves. He can be a central midfielder or a trequartista, a complete player with an excellent left foot. I believe he is the kind of player who can be an extra weapon in Inter’s future.”