Just minutes ago Stefano Pioli finished his press conference at Suning Training Center, this is what he had to say about the streak, the mercato and Palermo:

Compliments for the seventh straight win, do you have to handle this streak with care? “No, we have to insist in upholding it. The team has the right attitude, we know we are doing well but we also know that we come from victories where we suffered a lot. We have to be ready on Sunday.”

What has impressed you the most of Gagliardini, is he already irreplaceable? “Surely, with him came also a simplicity and serenity, he has showed great character and that he understands our ideas. He has given us what we expected and it was for this reason that we aquired him. We’ll see what happens on Sunday, he has had two tough games to start with. I have to be cautious when I select the team because the team has to have intensity.”

You have an embarrassment of riches in terms of selection. Could the abundance of choice be a problem after some players have been left out? “Absolutely not, the team comes first and everybody works in that direction. In fact, the daily competitiveness is a great weapon. And the players know that eleven of them will start, but the other can come on as substitutes and change the game.”

The average for goals conceded is practically the same as the last management, how do you correct that? Will you go to the market or can you change some pieces? “In the last couple of games we have paid a lot for very few chances given to our opponents. For every game we are giving less and less to the opponents and if you concede fewer goals it’s easier to win the games. We are working on this and we are improving, this has to be corrected in order to grow even more. There have been some situations where the team was fielded in a position where you have to stay attentive.”

At what point is the situation of Perisic? “I have said it before and I repeat that from the great players you have to expect a lot. Ivan has all the qualities for being a decisive player and that’s what he is doing right now. Just like the other guys, he knows that it’s attitude, desire and generosity that create opportunities. Then there is always room for improvement, on Sunday we will have a difficult game in a difficult stadium. We have to be 100% prepared.”

How does it affect you on a personal level that Inter now is an appreciated team? “I am convinced that when you work hard and well you have to believe in the players and in their qualities. I also have the experience to know that everything sums up on May 28th. Now we have to stay concentrated and continue to give us the chance to win every game.”

What comes to your mind when speaking about Palermo? “I like to talk only about things that I’ve experienced, my time in Palermo was too short to make a judgement on how things were and are there. I arrived at a special time shortly after the final in the Coppa Italia against Inter. I had a great relationship with Zamparini up until the day I was sacked, and this relationship has stayed the same. He was always serious and honest to me. Then you have to be there in order to judge, the team is in a bit of trouble but has qualities, experienced players and a desire to show that they can play at our level. We have to bo very focused.”

What does it mean to you that you have always beaten your ex-teams? “For me it means that I have had experiences that have allowed me to grow and that I am at the right maturity now. For me, thinking big means working well every day.”

The last days of the mercato is coming up, do you expect something to happen when it comes to reducing the roster? “The objectives for the mercato have been clear to the club and they still are. We needed a midfielder and a midfielder arrived, then there will be some exits. Others will come, yes I expect something to happen.”

People talk a lot about this summer’s mercato, is that an incentive for you or is it just a distraction? “There is only one thing we can control and that is the present. That means having another 17 rounds to play where there are a lot of points at stake in order to reach the best position possible. We have to do well in the present in order to construct something important for the future of Inter. We do this with a management that is very strong and that helps us a lot and also has great ambitions. What we can give back is a solid foundation that can help make Inter great again. It all depends on how we perform from today until the 28th of May. The team is very focused, united and understands that only by working together in the same direction we can achieve that satisfaction.”

Pioli in press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Palermo

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