Mancini: Napoli, Roma and Juve favourites, not Inter
And it's that kind of mentality that former Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini wants to see in Palermo tomorrow.
“Inter are going there to win," Il Mancio told journalists at a press conference on Friday.
"We want to come home from Palermo with three points.
"We have to be good, but we’ll only manage that if we bring out the mindset we saw against Juventus”.
The former Fiorentina, Galatasaray and Inter gaffer had some positive words for his team, denying that the club had drawn up a transfer shortlist and saying that the Nerazzurri are on the way up.
“We have big margins of improvement, it’s a good sign that we can be in the mix without being at our best”.
“Against Juventus, we proved that we have character, we toughed it out when we had to and had chances to win it”
Then again, Mancini also expressed doubts that his team was ready to make a run for the Scudetto.
“We’re not being shortlisted for the title, and I agree. Napoli, Roma and Juve are better equipped”.
What about Fiorentina? And is Mancini using reverse psychology to goad his players, or is he trying to take the pressure off them? Following an expensive summer spree, which included €35 million signing Geoffrey Kondogbia, some were expecting the Nerazzurri to be ready right away.
The Jesi manager then had some nice words for opponents Palermo, whose president, Maurizio Zamparini, praised him yesterday whilst trying to take a dig at Juventus coach Max Allegri.
“Palermo is a great team, they’d had trouble at home but they’ve had some excellent games on the road.
“They have young and very skilful players, it’s never easy to play in Palermo.”
“Vazquez is a great talent, he has physique, he can dictate the tempo.”
