Luciano Spalletti described how Inter can break down Chievo’s diamond midfield, but isn’t putting too much focus on becoming Serie A leaders.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
As Napoli lost 1-0 to Juventus last night, the Nerazzurri would go top of the table with a victory over the Flying Donkeys and remain the only unbeaten side.
Luciano Spalletti described how Inter can break down Chievo’s diamond midfield, but isn’t putting too much focus on becoming Serie A leaders.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
As Napoli lost 1-0 to Juventus last night, the Nerazzurri would go top of the table with a victory over the Flying Donkeys and remain the only unbeaten side.
“There is the possibility of three points, no different to any other game, and that is what we must pay attention to,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“When the others win, we have to keep up the pace, and when the others lose, we must take advantage. If it’s a friendly, we must win to boost confidence. We have to win, no matter what the situation.
“It’s only right there are expectations around us. We haven’t held back and we won’t start now, but it’s not as if being a point behind or in front is going to make a huge amount of difference now. We know it’s a difficult path and we must believe in our daily work.”
Matias Vecino is passed fit to start, but Roberto Gagliardini and Joao Miranda sit out bans.
“Andrea Ranocchia should be quite comfortable against a side like Chievo, as he’s strong in the air and they put in a lot of crosses. The crowd at San Siro know he loves Inter and has the club colours inside of him. He knows what he’s doing and will help Inter for the rest of the season.
“Chievo have this way of taking everything they deserve from a match. They have a very precise way of playing and we must do well to get around their packed midfield down the wings, but when we do lose possession, they can hurt us through the centre.
“Possession is not necessarily a guarantee of results. They don’t care if we keep the ball for 70 per cent of the time. Chievo play with four defenders, a midfield diamond and two strikers who divide up the penalty area. They know perfectly well when to press high and when to sit back in their own half. They very rarely get stretched out.
“In order to break them down, we must move the ball quickly and think even quicker, seeing the passes in our minds, otherwise it becomes difficult to get out of that diamond.”
Inter beat Cagliari last week, but needed several great saves from goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who has just extended his contract.
“Handanovic wants to stay, he’s happy here and the club realised it was the right time for this deal.”