Andrea Stramaccioni feels Sunday night’s Roma–Inter match “is completely unpredictable” and admits to a major injury crisis.
Diego Milito, Philippe Coutinho and Ricky Alvarez are out of action, while Antonio Cassano “will try today in training. He is a fundamental player and not just for his technique,” said the Coach.
Andrea Stramaccioni feels Sunday night’s Roma-Inter match “is completely unpredictable” and admits to a major injury crisis.
Diego Milito, Philippe Coutinho and Ricky Alvarez are out of action, while Antonio Cassano “will try today in training. He is a fundamental player and not just for his technique,” said the Coach.
This is a return to the Stadio Olimpico for Stramaccioni, who developed his career in the Roma youth academy.
“I have many friends in Rome and all my life is there apart from the time I played at Bologna. Even within the Giallorossi I have many friends and people who care for me. I’ll never deny that.
“However, tomorrow will be an important game and all the focus will be on the players. I am certain it’ll be a wonderful game between teams who play open and attacking football.
“Any predictions for this match? It could be win, lose or draw – it’ll be completely unpredictable.”
Inter have lost their last four consecutive away games and were pushed to the last moment of extra time to beat Bologna 3-2 in the Coppa Italia quarter-final on Tuesday.
“I think we have overcome our difficult moment. It is a balanced campaign and if you don’t play 100 per cent, you risk losing something. Now we are a team with a precise identity and tomorrow we’ll go head-to-head with another big club.
“In order to play Roma you need absolute focus, because they can create opportunities at any moment. They attack with so many elements and we’ll need concentration. It is important to emerge with a positive result, but I don’t think it will be decisive for the final table.”
Roma beat Inter 3-1 at San Siro, but the Nerazzurri Coach felt it was an unfortunate result.
“It was a strange game where we struggled to get back on track. I remember a couple of Maarten Stekelenburg saves and then Roma’s counter-attack that led to their second goal. We have changed a great deal since that game, so I don’t think they can be compared.”
Wesley Sneijder is still frozen out and dragging his heels over a move to Galatasaray, which infuriated Coach Fatih Terim.
“I understand Terim and all of Galatasaray’s position. It is only normal that they want to understand if they can rely on him or not,” noted Stramaccioni.