Stramaccioni delighted by Inter fightback

Andrea Stramaccioni praised the determination of his Inter players after they came from behind to consign Sampdoria to a fifth consecutive defeat.

The 3-2 result saw the Nerazzurri leapfrog Napoli into second in the Serie A ahead of their crunch clash with pacesetters Juventus in the Derby d’Italia at the weekend.

Inter have now won eight consecutive games in all competitions and their coach said the performance demonstrated their developing maturity.

“The best quality that emerged tonight is that we are growing,” Stramaccioni told reporters after the game.

“This evening I saw hunger and we never relaxed. We need to continue to work this hard in every game.”

Stramaccioni highlighted the efforts of Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin, who capped off a fine display with a spectacular long-range goal to settle the match, but claimed the whole team deserved credit for the win.

“Our weapon is the whole group and today was a victory for the collective,” he said.

Stramaccioni said he wanted to keep the same group of players together each week to avoid sending the wrong message to his players.

“Everyone is free to make the choice he thinks is best for his team. I think every match is important, because I believe it’s too soon and pointless to spare players after only 10 games played, with a view to a more difficult match coming up,” he said.

“Inter had to win tonight and continue our growth. If I had spared players who have been putting in good performances recently in view of Saturday’s game against Juventus I would have given the wrong signal.”