Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni has declared Sunday’s final Serie A game of the season against Lazio a ‘prelude to a rebirth’ for the club.
Inter have endured a difficult campaign and even with victory this weekend versus Edy Reja’s men, the Giuseppe Meazza outfit will be relying on results elsewhere in their search for Champions League qualification.
Speaking ahead of what could be his final game in charge of the 2010 Champions League winners, Stramaccioni placed great importance on the Lazio encounter in light of Inter’s future.
“I think this is a prelude to a rebirth. The season remains negative, but this is the prelude to Lazio-Inter and also the hunger of the Nerazzurri people to become great again in Italy and Europe,” he said on Saturday.
If his team are to pull off the likely feat of reaching third spot, the young coach will have to make do without the injured Wesley Sneijder, suspended Julio Cesar and Mauro Zarate, who will not feature against his parent club.
“It will be an Inter side ready for battle. Wes had already picked up a problem yesterday, he did some tests today and I didn’t want to risk him. I always wanted players who can give 101 percent and sadly Sneijder won’t be in Rome with us,” Stramaccioni said.
“I left out Zarate as a technical choice, while Diego Forlan has the usual problem with his ankle. We’re missing some quality players, so it will be a different Inter. What is Zarate’s future? Ask the club…”
Stramaccioni reiterated the desire to bring glory back to Inter after their disappointing campaign.
“We have said many times this has not been a positive campaign. We will fight to the last second to reach the Champions League,” he said.
“It is objectively a difficult ask, we know that, but all together we’re working to bring Inter back to the role of leaders in Italy. That includes me and the president, together.”
