Mazzarri wary of Cittadella

Inter Milan head coach Walter Mazzarri has labelled his side’s Coppa Italia third round match against Cittadella ‘full of hidden traps’.

Mazzarri will lead Inter in his first competitive game as head coach on Sunday as the Milanese club take on fellow northerners Cittadella at the San Siro.

The former Napoli head coach says there is a ‘subconscious risk’ that Inter might underestimate Cittadella, who just missed out on a spot in the round of 16 last season when Catania came from 1-0 down with two minutes remaining to win 3-1 in extra time.

“This is a dangerous game full of hidden traps and pitfalls,” Mazzarri said on Saturday.

“It arrives just before the start of the season, when we still haven’t played a match for three points.

“Aside from who we are facing, there is the subconscious risk of underestimating them.

“I told the lads not to forget that last season Cittadella were knocked out of the Coppa at the last second by Catania.

“August matches can hold many dangers, so we must step on to the pitch aware of this and prove we are concentrated in every aspect to bring the result home.”

Mazzarri added he is looking forward to sitting on the home bench at the San Siro after visiting the famous Milan-based stadium as the opposition coach in his time with Napoli, Sampdoria and Reggina.

“The thing that came to me instinctively was to ask Diego Milito, which one was our bench,” Mazzarri said.

“I have been in this stadium many times but it really will take some getting used to being on the other side.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful sensation.

“Now that I can look at the stands without the tension and pathos of a game being played, you can tell how much motivation and emotion San Siro gives you.”