Ranieri Post Match Reaction: “I don’t give up”
“I’m pleased with my Inter‘s performance against the most in-form team in the league.” Unfortunately we played, while they were careful, cynical and struck on their only two chances. Then, the game was more balanced, but we no longer had the strength necessary to strike as we did in the first half. I think this is the summary of the match.” This is the analysis, the most lucid and objective possible, of Claudio Ranieri speaking to Sky Sport Italia at the end of the match that saw Inter defeated 2-1 by Juventus.
Inter are at 8 points in the standings, but the Nerazzurri coach insists:
“We mustn’t look at it now because as I said yesterday there are still 84 points, but it’s clear that today it was better to win than to lose. I’m coming away from the San Siro with a bittersweet taste in my mouth; sweet because the team fought hard against Juventus, although we were a bit strapped up, and bitter because we lost.”
The loss to Juventus must soon be forgotten, because Wednesday there is the Champions League match against Lille:
“I will have to consider some things, as I’m doing, with the problems some players have. Maicon was already not feeling so well in the game today, and Cambiasso had Del Piero fall on top of him. On a psychological level, however, this setback should not have any repercussions. Now we just have to look and see who is in a good physical condition. Can Juventus win the Scudetto? Yes, they are working well and have the time to do it, but I’m not giving up. Today I was very curious to see the most in-form team in the league against us, as we aren’t doing so well. In the end we both played, we both ran hard to the same extent, but I did not see this exceptional physical power of our opponents.”
Castaignos came on for Zarate in the second half, and Ranieri explained his choice:
“Luc was timid. I had sent him on to alleviate the pressure of Lichtsteiner. We decided to wait for them, and if we had to go at them to do it all together, but we couldn’t always do it. I tried to provide some cover by putting Castaignos on the left wing, but we didn’t manage to do it. And I repeat that now I have to examine the physical state of my team. Zarate? He was fine. That was my own tactical choice. I said to Mauro, ‘You don’t deserve to come off, but I must do something to help the team.’ I knew that we would keep declining with each passing minute because we are not all in good shape and all those little injuries make you think about how you can help the team. By rebalancing I was hoping to find the equaliser, but we didn’t succeed and it’s a shame. Obi pushed very well and gave us the depth, but of course he can’t be Stankovic, who knows how to be in the right place at the right time. We kept Milito on the bench, as he’s not in great form, and we’re hoping that he returns to be the Milito that we all know.”
Regarding the use of younger players Ranieri admitted:
“I was expecting a more bold Castaignos because in training he’s the one most in form. He runs and scores goals. But Alvarez did very well. There’s one thing that these lads have: determination and heart, and we have to build on this.” And to those who pointed out to Ranieri that a penalty should have been given for the contact between Castellazzi and Marchisio, the Nerazzurri coach had this to say: “From the bench I saw that it could have been given. That’s why I always tell the referees ‘I hope you saw well’, because the view is better from where they’re at.”
Speaking to Mediaset, the Inter coach continued:
“I feel bitter about the defeat and satisfied with the performance, especially in the first half. The substitution of Zarate was made because we were having problems on the left wing; I wanted a little more cover, although I knew we would lose the spark from the Argentine, but the cover was a bit short. In the second half things were more balanced, with them being in less difficulty. What did president Moratti tell me? He was unhappy as we were. However we know that now we mustn’t look at the standings, but rather move forward match by match. I believe in this group, I think we can make a comeback. We have to look at where we are at Christmas. I believe in these players and in their pride. Rizzoli? He refereed well. There might be an error on one side or the other, but he kept the game under control. From the bench, frankly, Juventus could have had a claim for a penalty. This moment for us is affected by a summer that was difficult, between commitments and injuries, so I’m not going to be too hard on the team.”
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