Inter coach Walter Mazzarri has attempted to play down his side’s heavy weekend defeat ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie against Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK.
The Italian coach will be hoping for an improved performance in the European competition after Inter were humiliated in a 4-1 rout by Cagliari at the weekend.
“As time has passed I am convinced that the performance [against Cagliari] was not the real Inter,” the 53 year old told gathered journalists.
“Perhaps we are not even the team that people thought we were after the first few victories. The result has given us balance. Perhaps if the players can understand what happened it can be used as a useful way to grow.
“Honestly, I expected worse from the fans. At other clubs the whistles would have come earlier. At the end of the game the disappointment of the fans was normal. ”
Inter’s defensive frailties have been exposed recently and Mazzarri went on to consider the issue.
“I have tried switching the three man defence to one of four, but playing every three days is difficult to understand all the tactical changes. The boys have got it, but obviously I’d like them to have more time to digest the new information. ”
The Nerazzurri coach then went on to discuss Wednesday night’s Europa League opponents.
“Qarabag will be a very difficult opponent. It could be a game similar to the one with Dnipro,” he said.
“I hope that the next European games will not define the rest of the season. I’m preparing for tomorrow’s game against a team that is good and has important players. We will have to demonstrate a higher level of performance than against Cagliari.”
Mazzarri was then asked about the differences between the current season and the campaign that has just passed.
“I think last season we finished well. Let’s not forget that there was a change of ownership in mid-season. We should not be judged on the match against Cagliari because if the result had been different people would be saying that Inter are doing well.”
