17 October 2015
Roberto Mancini insists that playing with a high level of concentration is the key to getting a positive result tomorrow against the Bianconeri.
Inter enter the encounter with a chance to move 11 points above Massimiliano Allegri’s men and their manager is perfectly aware of the impact that a Derby d’Italia victory could have on the course of the campaign ahead.
Speaking to journalists at the club’s training ground in Appiano Gentile, he began: "It’s a big match and we’ll need to be on top of our game because we’re playing a team that has won the last four Serie A titles.
"It’s imperative that we maintain complete concentration from the first whistle to the last because there are hidden dangers at any given moment in each fixture. Beating Juventus would boost morale, while also providing a good indication of our chances of staying in the upper reaches of the table.”
Turning his attentions to the players at his disposal for Sunday evening, Mancini revealed that several of his charges hadn’t had much time to rest over the international break, but provided good news regarding top goalscorer Stevan Jovetic’s recovery from injury.
"Almost everyone played two games with their national sides and Gary Medel only got back yesterday. Jovetic is in fairly good shape. He’s taken part in the last three training sessions and his condition is improving all the time."
Having accrued 16 points in their opening seven league matches, Inter have made their strongest start to a campaign since 2009/10, when José Mourinho guided the side to an historic treble.
While Mancini stated it would be the aim of his Nerazzurri to challenge for a first Scudetto in six years, he acknowledged that other teams might be better equipped to last the distance in what he admitted was an incredibly competitive Serie A.
"Napoli, Juventus and Roma all have excellent players. They’ve been at the top for some time and haven’t changed much in terms of quality. We want to be in the mix for honours come May.”
He concluded: “It’s a long, hard season for all of us and anyone can lose or draw over the next 31 matches. I don’t think anyone will go and win them all. There are some teams in great form at the moment but it’s impossible to pick up maximum points all the time.”
