Jose takes the game to Juve
Friday 17 April, 2009
Inter boss Jose Mourinho refuses to take the Scudetto for granted and has set his sights on three points from the Derby d'Italia.
The Nerazzurri are 10 points clear of Juve as they prepare to travel to Turin to face the second-placed side.
But Mourinho isn't joining the chorus of voices stating that the title is already decided.
“I want to beat Juve even though we would be fine if it were a draw,” Mourinho told journalists.
“In order to celebrate the Scudetto we need to wait until it is mathematically certain. The best team wins the title in the end - it's not down to incidents or flukes.
“But we have dropped 10 points at home with five draws and so we have made our mistakes just as our rivals have.
“However, we have more points than anyone else at the moment because we have been stronger.
“I am completely ready for a hostile reception in Turin. Juve have four great strikers - David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Amauri.”
Mourinho then discussed the Beneamata's failure to secure European honours this term.
“What do Inter need to do to improve in Europe? I am the only foreign Coach in Italy and I have learned that every positive thing I say is taken to be negative,” Jose said.
“This isn't my war. But I don't think the English and Spanish Leagues are stronger than Serie A.
“There are three or four very strong teams, but the big difference is the other sides - the Italian championship is more balanced.”
The Inter tactician expects to be working with Zlatan Ibrahimovic again next season despite transfer rumours.
“There isn't a huge offer - it's all hypothetical,” he explained.
“A bid of £40m, £50m or £60m would be rejected and I don't expect anyone to offer £100m. I expect him to be here next year.”
Young defender Davide Santon is making headlines and could be an Azzurri star of the future.
“He has become a regular starter for us,” Mourinho noted. “He could become a talisman like Giacinto Facchetti, Beppe Bergomi or Javier Zanetti.”
Mourinho concluded by discussing strikers Mario Balotelli and Adriano.
“Balotelli is at the start of his development,” he stressed. “I'm not satisfied with him yet, but I am when I consider that he is just 18.
“I would want him to get better over the next four years. He is far from the finished product, even though he has learned to acquit himself in training.
“As for Adriano, before his ban he was scoring for Brazil and for us. He was an important player and he was happy.
“However, he is psychologically fragile and his suspension stopped him in his tracks. But in a career a player must overcome difficult times.”
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