Kovacic – Inter
After struggling to breakdown a resolute Saint-Etienne defence, Inter midfielder Mateo Kovacic admitted that his performance against the Ligue 1 side was below its usual standard, although he felt the physical battle on the San Siro pitch hindered the flow of the game.
However, with seven points the Nerazzurri sit comfortably at the top of Group F and are certain to qualify for the knock-out stages if they secure a positive result in France in two weeks time.
“Against Napoli we played well, especially in the first-half, but today was a bit difficult because we played a game a little physical where the game stopped every five minutes,” Kovacic told the press.
“It wasn’t the best match, but the result is about right, now we have seven points and we must think only of Cesena.
“Today was a difficult match for me, I did not do well. I did not find the spaces, but now we must focus on three points of Cesena.”
After the Massimo Moratti stepped down as honorary president during the day the Croatian international was quizzed over the affect it would have on the players, but simply cited it as a matter for club officials and not them on the pitch.
“It’s not an issue for us,” claimed Kovacic. “ I knew Moratti and can say he is a great person who has done a great job for Inter, but these are questions to ask to the club and not the players.
Nerazzurri president Erick Thohir arrived in the locker room after the game to deliver a message to the player, though Kovacic was coy as to its contents.
“The president always comes into the changing room before and after the match, tells us something. He is a very good president, very positive, and we are happy to have him here with us.”
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