Pioli: "The lads are giving everything"

MILAN

- Inter's 3-1 victory over ChievoVerona on Saturday night secured a fifth straight win.

Here's how coach

Stefano Pioli

saw the game: "Sadly we fell behind from the only chance the opposition created but I'm really pleased with the desire the lads showed yet again. They put everything they had into the match. January is a crucial month to try and close the gap on the sides at the top and this is an important win.

"We created lots of chances and didn't have many scares. We won't look at the table now - we'll only think about winning as many matches as possible. We're pleased but this is just the start of our journey and we want to move forward in the right frame of mind. If we want to aim for one of the top spots, we need to have a great second half of the season. Obviously wins give you a boost and allow you to work in a positive environment. We have the potential to become a dangerous team and what matters most is that everyone works hard for each other.

"Gagliardini played excellently, as did the whole team. He earned a move to Inter with his performances. I only asked him to play like he knows how. He went out there with character and he has great positional sense and energy levels. I have five starters in midfield and we have some great options with key players. We must keep working hard because that's the only way we'll achieve the consistency we're looking for. Icardi is fantastic and his determination is a key sign. He sets the tone and I'm seeing the right approach among the squad. Mauro is a top player and he's still young so he can get even better."

Pioli was asked whether Gabriel Barbosa could feature in the Coppa Italia: "He's working hard, like the rest of his team-mates. We'll see whether he starts on Tuesday or whether he comes off the bench. We want to do well in the cup because it's an important competition for us."

The coach then analysed his team's forward play: "We can fill the box with the wide forwards and the midfielders because we have players that time their runs well. We're playing better but we can definitely still do even more, in terms of how we move the ball too. What matters is the players' willingness to work hard and the desire I've seen from the squad. All the players are performing well when called upon.

"I just asked them a question at half time. I asked them what we were missing in the first 45 minutes. They gave me the right answer, saying determination in the final third. I asked them to change that after the break, things worked out well and we won. I have a switched on group of players and we're really doing well in terms of accountability," he concluded.