New Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini was introduced to the world’s media for the first time and claimed he knows his side will improve on their second placed finish last season. Gasperini was flanked at the press conference by technical director Marco Branca and vice managing director Stefano Filucchi and the former Genoa manager is desperate to impress.
Gasperini stated: ‘I’ve tried to get stuck straight into my new job and right from the start my impression was that this training centre has everything we need to be able to work to the best of our abilities. Training won’t start until next Sunday but we’re ready now.’
The 53 year old will take charge of his first training session in four days time and has disclosed some information about how he plans to set the Nerazzurri up tactically. Gasperini revealed that he is prepared to try a three man defence, but will hold further alternatives to change the outlook of an Inter side, which had been dramatically stabilised and improved under former coach Leonardo. The Brazilian revitalised the squad after a difficult time under Rafael Benitez, but left to join wealthy French side PSG and Gasperini was drafted in as his immediate replacement. Gasperini himself has not revealed all the tactics he would use, stating that ‘the team is full of great players capable of performing in different positions‘.
Former Inter boss and now Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will forever be imprinted in the minds and hearts of Inter fans following his treble-winning heroics in the 2009/2010 season, but Gasperini is not overawed by the task facing him at the Stadio Guiseppe Meazza. ‘There have been generations of important Inter coaches and players. I will become a part of that starting from now and I must concentrate on the immediate future.’
Gasperini’s first competitive match as part of the Nerazzurri will come on the 6th of August in the Italian Super Cup and the Italian will field the players who have been able to take part in the pre-season preparations and not those players who have been with their South American sides as part of the Copa America. ‘What we must show right from the beginning is a strong mentality and a desire to achieve new targets‘, Gasperini revealed.
Speculation has been rife in the media over the rumoured incomings and outgoings at Inter this season. Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez’ recent admission that he would like to leave Eastlands may have alerted Inter, who had been the frontrunners in the race for the Argentinian’s signature. Gasperini did not discuss the possibility of bringing in Tevez, but revealed that the club hold a firm interest in Velez Sarsfield playmaker Ricky Alvarez.
The new Inter coach said: ‘Alvarez is a great player. If he came to Inter, he would be a major reinforcement.’ Gasperini also spoke about the speculation surrounding Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, stating that they would love to keep the 27 year old at Stadio Guiseppe Meazza, but revealed that just like when Inter sold striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona two years ago, the exit of a star player would not result in the team lacking in quality. Gasperini believes that there will be reinforcements, if they receive a good offer for Sneijder, but his first thought is keeping the side as strong as last season and adding to the current crop of players.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
