Inter coach Roberto Mancini spoke on Saturday morning, ahead of his team’s derby clash with cross-town rivals AC Milan, focusing on the atmosphere around the game.
Entering the 162nd edition of the Deby della Madonnina, AC Milan sit ninth in Serie A, one point above Inter in tenth.
When asked about how much of this game is for pride, the Inter coach responded that the rivalry superseded the teams’ respective poor form,
“It’s an important game, compared to previous years this is a weaker derby, both teams are not having a great time. This must be the basis for a great revival,” Mancini said in his pre-match press conference.
Mancini also spoke about the influence Xherdan Shaqiri has had since his arrival in January.
“He is a player that changes the team but sometimes we expect too much [from him]. He and others who arrived in January will be decisive.
Mancini concluded by responding to questions about the recent lack of attendance and enthusiasm at matches.
“I think the players feel it [the derby pressure] a lot.
“Once, it was different because we were all Italians; before falling asleep I thought about it a lot before playing a derby.
“Now, with so many games so close together, you do not even have a chance to think about it too much.
“It’s not an easy stage [the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza], it is quite complicated and you encounter many difficulties.”
