Andrea Stramaccioni has some players back for Inter’s trip to Napoli and jokes about links with Max Allegri. “He was the only one missing!”
Andrea Stramaccioni has some players back for Inter’s trip to Napoli and jokes about links with Max Allegri. “He was the only one missing!”
The Corriere della Sera reported this morning that Inter had approached Milan boss Allegri, but all the clubs involved released statements categorically denying it.
“When I read that today I thought, ‘He was the only one missing!’ Massimiliano has my utmost respect, but everyone involved denied the story. I signed a three-year contract with Inter,” said Strama in his Press conference.
“I am relaxed and we want to do well this season. Playing in Naples is not easy and it wouldn’t have been even if we had the full squad at our disposal. After the Europa League elimination, Napoli showed with strength that they deserve second place.
“The squad is in good shape despite the injury crisis. We trained well, have Fredy Guarin and Esteban Cambiasso back, while Antonio Cassano resumed training yesterday. We’ll see if those two can start. Cristian Chivu will grit his teeth, even though he’s not 100 per cent. Rodrigo Palacio is still not recovered.”
The Nerazzurri risk missing out on Europe altogether next season, but Stramaccioni remains optimistic.
“People talk about Borussia Dortmund, who didn’t start out this project at all well. Juventus weren’t even in Europe two years ago and went straight on to win the Scudetto.
“Inter have laid the foundations by signing Palacio, Samir Handanovic and Mateo Kovacic for the future. Massimo Moratti will continue investing, I am certain of it. We’ve understood where we went wrong and I can see how the club is working. The fans are sad at this end of the season, but must relax because we will bring in real Inter players.
“We are in a desperate situation due to injuries and those who want to do us down no matter what are making the most of it.”
The injury crisis is also affecting next season, as a deal for Ruben Botta will go ahead despite the midfielder being ruled out for six months by knee ligament damage.
“There are regrets we won’t have him for the start of the season, but we got there before anyone else, he will be an Inter player and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Captain Javier Zanetti is out for six months following surgery on his Achilles tendon, but promised to maintain a presence in the Inter locker room.
“I must thank Javier, who was very close to me. If I will be, as the President wants, the Inter Coach then I will also have to thank Zanetti. It’s a serious injury, but he is my engine and I’m doing everything possible to ensure he attends pre-season training with us.”