05 January 2015
Roberto Mancini admits his men will have to be at their very best tomorrow if they are to get one over the Bianconeri in their own back yard – but says he is confident in his team’s chances of pulling off a famous Derby d’Italia result at Juventus Stadium.
With 18 points separating the two teams in Serie A, the 50-year-old boss - who has also managed Fiorentina, Lazio, Manchester City and Galatasaray – believes a fearless approach is the only way forward for his Nerazzurri side against the reigning champions in Turin.
Speaking to the media ahead of his team’s departure, Mancini began: “I want to see my team go there and give it a good go. It will be a tough game, but it’s an Italian football classic and if Inter play well and stay focused, they can beat anyone. We need to put in a flawless display if we’re to get a win, and that’s precisely what I’m after.”
“Juventus are a great side with fine players and Pirlo, their best buy in my eyes, has given them extraordinary balance. They’re the best team of the last few years, but I don’t think there’s such an enormous gap between them and Inter.”
Mancini admitted the meeting with the league leaders may come too early for German forward Lukas Podolski, who is awaiting the necessary clearance on a loan move from Arsenal, but did bring positive news on the respective conditions of Rodrigo Palacio and Nemanja Vidic.
“We’ve prepared for the game without Podolski, but if the transfer were to go through then he’ll be on the bench. Palacio’s ankle injury appears to have improved. Vidic is on the mend and will possibly be back in the next couple of weeks.”
