Mourinho: “We’re stronger than the last season”

Despite the Italian Super Cup defeat, Jose Mourinho feels Inter are “stronger than last season with a definite structure and philosophy”. The Nerazzurri had a bad start to the new season with a 2-1 defeat to Lazio in Beijing, but the Coach looks on the bright side. “I always analyse things deep down,” he told Inter Channel. “From the Boston game against Milan to the second half with Monaco and then the Lazio match, the team showed it has a definite structure and philosophy.

“I like the way this side plays and thinks, I like the very clear philosophy of football that runs throughout the group.” It was always going to take time to replace Capocannoniere Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mourinho thinks the worst is behind them. “The most important decision, the one on which direction to take, has been made. We are working hard on our ideal of football and, although we are disappointed with the defeat in Beijing, we are all satisfied with the performance.”

Samuel Eto’o scored his first goal for the club in China and is forming an all-new partnership with Diego Milito. “Without taking anything away from what we won in the past, last season we played some great games, but without much consistency. So far we have gone better with every match.” The Nerazzurri face an intriguing test on Friday evening with the Trofeo TIM, a mini-tournament of 45-minute games against rivals Juventus and Milan. “It will be the opportunity to give some youngsters space and test them out against a top opponent. It’s also a good chance for those who did not play against Lazio, such as Materazzi, Samuel, Vieira, Mancini and Quaresma.”