Madonna to Inter TV: "We have to improve but I have a quality side"

MILAN - Just over a month since the Nerazzurri’s Under-19 Team first gathered at the start of a new season, ArmandoMadonna spoke about pre-season to Inter TV. The Coach discussed a number of topics as he’s satisfied with the work done so far but knows that there’s still more to do to improve the team.

"In agreement with the club, we decided to raise the bar for this start of the season. The friendlies and tournaments with sides who play European football helped to understand how difficult the fixtures we’ll have this season will be. Furthermore, I got to know the players I have available to me better. This year, along with there being a new Coach and a new way of playing, there are also a lot of new faces. The aim is to work hard and improve in the shortest time possible."

"In this first part of the season, we can’t look too much at results but we have to look to improve in every aspect. It wasn’t easy to play teams such as Southampton and Salzburg straight away, but at the Oberndorf Tournament we already made improvements and finished second," continued the Coach.

The new Coach then discussed how he’s settled in at the club. "It’s been very good, there’s lots of work to do but I’m convinced that the quality of our players will help. There’s a lot of desire to get started in the league but I’m used to thinking about what’s happening in the short-term so my attention turns to the Trofeo Mamma Cairo where we’ll face Juventus on Friday."

"In the last 10 days, players who were with Spalletti for summer pre-season have also joined back up with us. That gives us an extra dose of experience that will help us to improve in every single way which is what I ask for match after match. For example, I’m very satisfied with the progress made in defence."

"This shirt is a heavy one for all, we have to wear it with a sense of pride and respect. You need a great attitude and you have to be able to do things in a serious way in order to be ready to play every match at your best. We are Inter and this must lead to us thinking about matches with the correct mentality. We have a quality side and I’m confident for the future."