Spalletti: "We need to be worthy of the big stage"

APPIANOGENTILE - Luciano Spalletti spoke today with less than 24 hours to go before Inter vs. Genoa: "Every match has its own difficulties," he said. "Genoa's most recent performances, including the one less than three days ago increase our level of alertness. Whenever we take to the pitch, we need to show that we’re better than our opponents.

"We are obliged to become an attractive and strong team, one that plays football at an important level that lives up to the fans who always fill the stadium. We need to be worthy of playing on the big stage and the affection of our fans.

"We need to play a clean, fast and technical brand of football while making the right decisions as has happened in the most recent matches. Then, it’s strong players who interpret their roles. The intensity in games and the choices that we make will determine the results.

"Do we need to rotate? No, the players are all in good condition and ready to play tomorrow and give their contributions. Joao Mario didn’t feature for ten games but he showed that he was ready to work in the right way as soon as I called on him. Lautaro is a quality player with good characteristics and he can give us a hand in these games.

"It’s right to keep our good performances in mind but we can’t forget the bad displays where we didn’t get any points. It’s the cumulation of every experience that determines how the season goes. Analysis has to be done in a profound and complete manner. Too much praise weakens you.

"I’ll bring Nainggolan with me, it seems unlikely that he'll play a key role tomorrow but he’s in the group and he could play for 30 minutes because he has the character and the will to be there."