Andrea Stramaccioni insists the row over referees “is all over now” as he tries to piece together an Inter squad to take on Cagliari” data-scaytid=”2″>Cagliari.
Andrea Stramaccioni insists the row over referees “is all over now” as he tries to piece together an Inter squad to take on Cagliari.
The game will be played on neutral turf at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste, as the Is Arenas problems are continuing. Click here for a match preview.
“Cagliari are an admirable team and we really like them. We certainly respect them too, as in 2013 they have shown that they could’ve aimed for something more than safety,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
The Sardinians have lost just one of their last 12 games, notching up six wins and five draws.
“They have been together for a long time and their great strength is in attack with five strikers who represent a constant threat for any defence. They proved it against Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”8″>Fiorentina and Milan, so this is going to be a difficult game for us.”
The week has been dominated by Inter’s accusations towards the referee after a controversial 4-3 home defeat to Atalanta, but Stramaccioni insists there will be no pressure on official Domenico Celi tomorrow.
“There are no problems, it’s all over now. There doesn’t need to be any more discussion,” insisted Strama.
“We have our own share of the blame and never pulled back from that. As far as we are concerned, that issue concluded on Sunday evening. I expressed my idea, which was that the referee didn’t make a technical error, as he saw something that never happened. I never spoke about good faith.
“The game with Cagliari is important, because without the Primavera youth team players we only have 14 or 15 senior men. This is the most important stage of the season. Our 2013 has not gone the way we wanted it to.”
Walter Samuel is in the squad despite fitness concerns, while Ezequiel Schelotto is suspended. Tommaso Rocchi is the only available striker after Antonio Cassano joined Rodrigo Palacio and Diego Milito on the absentee list.
“The Coppa Italia semi-final with Roma next week is very important, but we want to end Serie A well and give our all. We need to rediscover a positive form in Trieste. With Cristian Chivu and Mbaye injured, we only have Andrea Ranocchia, Samuel, Matias Silvestre and Juan Jesus in defence.”
Some have suggested Inter would do better to stay out of the Europa League next season so they can focus purely on rebuilding.
“I may be pig-headed, but I continue to believe we can qualify for the Champions League and I always will until it becomes mathematically impossible,” stated Stramaccioni.