Pioli: "We won by playing as a team"

MILAN - Stefano Pioli has praised his players for securing a seventh straight Serie A win by 'playing as a team' against Pescara.

The Nerazzurri kept another clean sheet at the Meazza as goals by Danilo D'Ambrosio, Joao Mario and Eder sealed a 3-0 triumph on Saturday night.

"We deserved the win because we played as a team," Pioli told journalists after the match. "Our passing could have been a bit better at times because Pescara had a few chances when we made mistakes. If we want to lower the tempo we need to stay fully focused.

“The whole team is working hard, putting in the running and getting stuck in. We want to attack the opposition at all times. We like playing with this way and getting bodies into the box. Often our full-backs slip in between the lines because they offer us extra attacking options.

"I'm sure we can do even better. My players have technique, stamina and tactical nous. We're working well but we haven't peaked yet. And the fact we have room for improvement should give us even more reason for confidence.

"The team comes before any individual – you have to put your talent at the service of the team. The lads are all keen to graft and they're aware they need to do more. I keep drumming home that we must play as a team and every single player needs to put in a shift, and so far it's paying off with good results.

“We have some good foundations in place and it's something we can build on. I've been impressed by my players' technical ability and character. We're Inter and we must try to win even against tough opposition."

The boss also had words of encouragement for Gabriel Barbosa, who looked lively when he came on for a late cameo appearance on Saturday night.

"Barbosa has improved loads – including in his desire to train hard. He's very young and he needed to adapt to life in Italy. He needs to understand that in a big club there's lots of competition for places and you have to give your all."

Finally, Pioli insisted that all the focus must remain on the Nerazzurri's midweek Coppa Italia quarter-final Lazio, regardless of next weekend's visit to Juventus Stadium.

"We have Lazio to play on Tuesday before we can think about Juventus. It's a decisive match in a competition we want to win. We have to be totally focused on Tuesday. Afterwards we'll have plenty of motivation and incentive for the match on Sunday.

“We have to put out a strong team in the cup. We beat Lazio in the league but they made it hard for us. Then we'll go to Turin and try to pull out all the stops and take the game to them, even though we know we'll be up against a very, very good side. I want to see an Inter performance. You have to respect the opposition while being aware of your own ability.”