Stramaccioni proud of Inter

Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni praised his team for their ‘magnificent response’ after a 1-1 draw against Genoa on Saturday.

An 85th-minute Esteban Cambiasso goal saw Inter take a point at the San Siro, where Ciro Immobile had opened the scoring with just under a quarter of an hour to play.

The result means Inter will finish the year in fourth spot and nine points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus.

Stramaccioni said Cambiasso and Walter Gargano were only just declared fit to play, which, according to the coach, significantly hindered Inter’s efforts.

“We knew that we were in a difficult situation,” Stramaccioni told the club’s website.

“We had a couple out there who were not properly fit, like Gargano who had a swollen ankle and Cambiasso, who was passed fit at the last minute.

“I still want to congratulate the lads though.

“You have to remember that we conceded with a quarter of an hour to go then left the pitch disappointed not to have won. We showed a magnificent response.

“Now we need to take a complete break from it all and come back ready to start again strongly.”

Stramaccioni was unwilling to speculate as to which players he will look to bring in during the January transfer window, but believes his team are set for a big 2013.

“I don’t want to talk about the transfer window or who we could do with. I just want to praise the players who wear the Inter jersey now,” he said.

“The foundations are in place for a great 2013. We might adjust occasionally, but the 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 remain our basic systems.”