Luciano Spalletti believes Radja Nainggolan can ‘make the difference’ for Inter if he ‘improves’ and confirms the door is open for Joao Mario.
Nainggolan has endured an injury-hit start to his Inter career, only debuting against Bologna last time out, while Joao Mario suggested over the summer that he had already played his last game for the Nerazzurri.
“Parma will play with enthusiasm,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“The city and club have experienced some glorious moments. They know what difficult games are about.
“It’ll be a match that must be won convincingly. We must make sure that we play good football and show character.
“It’ll be easy to focus and think about this game: if we do well against Parma, it can help us against Tottenham.
“I’ve found the players to be well, but there’s nothing new, other than the problems we already knew about.
“There are players who have had only one complete training session since getting back.
“We see how their bodies react and the data from training, especially when two games are so close to each other.
“However we have enough players to always say we’re ready. I’ll name the team at 2pm tomorrow.
“Leaving Gagliardini out of my Champions League was not a rejection, which is why he’ll play again for us
“In the future, given our commitments, Joao Mario will also find space. We’re at a stage of the route we prepared throughout last season, so we must make ourselves ready.
“Having a game on Tuesday is what we went looking for. I hope my players have the necessary motivation, also because so many of them haven’t played in the Champions League before.
“I expect desire and great determination. I expect them to throw all the energy on to the field. There’s lots of work that still has to be diluted.
“Nainggolan is strong, he’s an Inter player like everyone else. He gives hot flashes, but consistency in terms of his all-round game is something else.
“He still has to improve, but he’s someone who can make the difference, even in the Champions League.
“The World Cup has caused a bit of difference in preparation, linked to a couple of injuries, but we don’t have many and they’ve been manageable.
“I’ve always been able to field strong teams. Whether they’ve been good or bad, everyone can assess them however they want.
“We’ve dropped points on our way and we can’t afford to drop any more. I’m sorry about that.”
Spalletti then reacted to not being invited to the launch of Francesco Totti’s autobiography.
“If I’m not among those called up, I’ll surprise him!” he added.
“I’ll certainly read the book. I’m sorry that I won’t be there, but he’s the one who chooses the guests.”