Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni says he must try and mastermind a serious Scudetto challenge in 2012-13 because the expectation at Inter is that they are title contenders every season:
“If you are called Inter then you have to aim for the Scudetto,” the 36-year-old stated in an interview with the Corriere dello Sport.
“There was more than a 20 point gap between us and Juventus, but I train players who are used to fighting for victory and competing for the big objectives. We have players who know how to win.
“Transfers? We need to make a few changes that will allow us to rebuild. The new foundation will start with a clear idea which we have in our minds.
“This summer transfer window will be fundamental in terms of buying and selling because, as the President says, this will be year zero.”
The tactician added that he’s a fan of Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi and Brazilian youngster Lucas, the talented Sao Paulo midfielder.
Stramaccioni is one of a number of young Coaches in the European game after being promoted from the Primavera set-up, but he doesn’t have the playing past of Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte or Luis Enrique.
“I haven’t had a career as a footballer, I wasn’t in great changing rooms and I haven’t played games at a certain level,” he noted.
“But at the same time I have a small advantage in that I was already a Coach at the age of 23.
“I was a decent player too and I even appeared for the Under-15 national side alongside Francesco Totti, Alessandro Nesta and Marco Di Vaio.
“But I got seriously injured at the age of 15 and, after three operations, I couldn’t do it anymore.”
Stramaccioni, who added that 4-3-3 is the “best formation” to cover the field of play, also revealed contact with Real Madrid tactician Jose Mourinho.
“Mourinho has given me more than one piece of advice,” he explained. “I never told the players this though.
“He contacted me, I think because he loves Inter. I listened to his words and I thanked him. I’ve never met him face to face, but it is a pleasure just to be able to speak with one of the world’s top Coaches.”
