Football
9y

Roberto Mancini says Inter always make it difficult on themselves

Inter boss Roberto Mancini joked that his team always make it hard on themselves after eking out a 2-1 win at Cagliari on Monday night.

Mancini's men may have won three in a row in the league but settled for a 3-3 draw in the Europa League on Thursday after holding a 2-0 lead.

Inter had to wait for the second half to break through with Mateo Kovacic's goal and then doubled their advantage through Mauro Icardi. But Cagliari's Samuele Longo turned Inter defender Juan Jesus to get one back and set up a nervy finish.

"If we don't make things difficult for ourselves, then we wouldn't be Inter!" Mancini laughed on Sky Sport Italia.

"We had the chance to score twice in the first half and failed. We went in front, then Longo came on and did very well. He used Juan Jesus' body to turn and deserves applause for a great goal.

"In the 10 minutes after that goal, anything could've happened. It was wide open and after 65 minutes we should've been well in control."

"When 2-0 up it's possible the team relaxed a little, especially with three intense games per week and not much squad rotation.

"Up until 2-0 we controlled possession perfectly, but then Cagliari pressed and we got too stretched out, the defence was too deep and that left gaps between the lines.

"The first half was extraordinary and we only lacked a goal, despite having four or five really good chances."

Kovacic received a rare start and rewarded his manager with his first league goal since December.

"I am happy with his performance and an important goal," Mancini said. "He's a good lad and deserves it.

"Of course I can only play 11 from the start and so many deserve to be in there. It's tough to make too many changes when the team hits form."

Mancini also had kind words for the all-around play of the oft-criticised Icardi.

"Icardi played very well and was splendid aside from the goal too, keeping the ball up and playing for his teammates. This is how he should always play."

^ Back to Top ^