Gasperini fends off criticism

Under-fire Inter boss Gian Piero Gasperini has brushed off criticism of his team and insists they will respond against Novara on Tuesday.

The 18-time Serie A champions have yet to win a match in four competitive appearances this season, and only picked up their first point in Saturday’s scoreless draw with Roma.

However, the coach is not worried, and feels his team will play well against the league newcomers at the Stadio Silvio Piola.

“There has always been a bit more criticism and nastiness towards Inter,” Gasperini told reporters.

“But the best way to respond to criticism will be on the pitch.”

“The road taken now seems to me the right one, we must continue to demonstrate solidity.

“However, I believe that in these matches we haven’t deserved so few points.”

“If an offside had been called in the Champions League the result would have been different. If a penalty had been awarded in Palermo, things probably have been different. And so on.”

Gasperini also commented on the state of his squad, which has been shuffled repeatedly this season.

“That could be the case,” he replied when asked whether striker Giampaolo Pazzini will start against Novara.

“(Wesley) Sneijder, (Cristian) Chivu and (Dejan) Stankovic? They could recover (from injury). It depends. We’ll see in the afternoon,” he added.

“Maicon? He could start training with the team in the coming days.”