Stramaccioni prepared for defining week

Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni says he has left no stone unturned in his bid to prepare his team for a defining week.

Fiorentina are the opponents on Sunday, followed by a Europa League clash against Neftchi Baku four days later, before the week concludes with the first Milan derby of the season a week on Sunday.

While he insists his side must not look too far ahead, Stramaccioni said he was preparing them for a crucial week.

“We have a tough week ahead but the best thing we can do is take one game at a time,” Stramaccioni told reporters.

“We’re taking each match as it comes, although obviously the coach has to consider other factors such as training cycles and the time needed for players to recover.”

Stramaccioni also had good things to say about Inter’s next opponents Fiorentina, who are coached by his close friend Vincenzo Montella and sit seventh in Serie A.

“Fiorentina are in great form,” he said.

“They’re playing some excellent football and with just a bit more luck they might have found themselves in an even higher league position than where they are now.

“We will have to be at our best to beat this Fiorentina side.”