Stramaccioni defends Inter squad

New Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni has defended the club’s players ahead of his first game in charge of the Serie A side.

The 36-year-old Stramaccioni was brought in on Monday to replace Claudio Ranieri, who was sacked after Inter slumped to eighth in the Serie A.

Stramaccioni is Inter’s third manager this season after Gian Piero Gasperini was also sacked in September.

Inter’s veteran-filled squad have been heavily criticised this season but Stramaccioni believes his players still have the ability to succeed in Italy’s top flight.

“These guys are players who have written the history of world football, they’re great professionals and I want to stress this to you,” Stramaccioni said.

“They gave their best with Gasperini and Ranieri and they’ll give their best with Stramaccioni and with any other coach the president would have chosen instead of me.

“I only have to give my contribution, but I don’t need to pick them up.

“I repeat, we’re talking about incredible champions, their professionalism is unquestionable.”

Stramaccioni has never managed a senior team and has been promoted after leading Inter’s youth team to victory at the NextGen Series in England, where they beat Ajax Amsterdam in the final.

The former Bologna defender who had his career cut short by a serious knee injury will lead Inter for the first time against Genoa on Sunday.

“I tried to watch all the games Genoa played since they’ve changed manager,” Stramaccioni said.

“They have an expert head coach, he’s proved a strong personality and he’s stamped his identity on the team in the last few games, the games against Roma and Fiorentina in particular.

“They have an aggressive style and play at a high rhythm, they have talented players in attack and it will be a tough game tomorrow.”