Stramaccioni: My future has been decided

Andrea Stramaccioni believes his future at Inter has already been decided, regardless of whether he secures Champions League football.

Stramaccioni made the step up to the first team on an interim basis at the start of April and has overseen a turnaround in Inter’s fortunes, which has seen them back in with a shout for a place in next season’s edition of Europe’s elite club competition.

He suffered his first defeat at the helm against Parma on Wednesday, putting his side three points behind rivals Napoli and Udinese in the race for third, but he remains adamant that his destiny has already been decided.

“(Regardless of Sunday’s outcome), I think my destiny has already been written,” Stramaccioni said.

“(Inter president Massimo) Moratti is free to choose as he pleases, but I feel that I also have clear ideas (about my future).”

Stramaccioni then discussed some of the players who are set to feature against Serie A rivals AC Milan on Sunday, including those who have come under increasing criticism of late.

“Cambiasso is irreplaceable,” he said. “Wesley (Sneijder) is who surprised me the most with how much he runs. Yes, Pazzini missed chances but we create so much with him in the team.

“I did not think Sneijder could agree with my idea of football, but he has worn it like a tailored suit. He has done well and the medical staff too have done a great job in ensuring he is ready to play.

“Meanwhile, mark my words: Lucio will be the best player on the pitch come Sunday evening.

“Against Parma he did not make a mistake but rather a technical error as he underestimated the danger of Giovinco.”

Stramaccioni also gave his opinion on Milan, and while he praised Inter’s city rivals for showing great resolve in the face of adversity, he insisted his players will display a similar iron will against their arch-rivals.

“I think that Milan were dealt a setback after their elimination from the Champions League, but were very good at not giving up,” he said.

“The risk of their season collapsing was there after the results against Fiorentina and Bologna, but now they have the wind in their sails once more.

“However, against Milan I want to see heart and courage, not the low heads that I saw in Parma.”