Ziwo: Inter Milan is still under construction, and it cannot change many old habits in a few months; the responsibility lies with me

Hupu September 1st, Inter Milan lost 1-2 to Udinese at home in the second round of Serie A. Inter Milan coach Zivo accepted an interview with broadcaster DAZN after the game and attended a press conference.

What do you think of this game?

"We played well at the beginning of the game, but we lacked the fluency and failed to find the right cooperation. And when we encountered difficulties for the first time, our opponents got a penalty kick. We lost our calmness and motivation, and we could feel that the team was struggling to play. I admit this. I saw more desire, fighting spirit and cooperation in the second half, but as time went by, we often lost our calmness, and the opportunities created in the penalty area were not converted into goals."

What requirements did you make during the break?

"I asked them to be more calm, run more, and do different running positions; find more opportunities to advance vertically, transfer the ball, and create a numerical advantage through the wings. Later, we sent four forwards and arranged for Pio to stand in the penalty area as a high point to use the cross, but Christensen and Solei played a great game."

Do you ask the players to play more pragmatically? Will this be an option?

"This is a moment that you must learn to deal with: if you can play beautiful football, but you must also learn to play pragmatically. We did not get better after the first round victory, nor did we get worse because of this game. We are still a team under 'construction' and must find the right balance and work hard. The season is still a long time."

How to prepare for your first Italian national derby as head coach?

"I don't even want to think about it. It's still two weeks away, and a lot of players are going to the national team. I hope this interval will bring some peace to my players: when you go to the national team, you can get a short pull and get more energy when you come back. Then we will play against Juventus, which is always a very important game."

During the training camp, you said that you want an Inter Milan that is more difficult to predict. Do you think you have got the right players after the transfer?

"We must use the existing players to find the right way of playing and my ideas, and there is no choice. Sometimes the team should not play fancyly, just like looking in the mirror, always thinking about passing and controlling, but need more vertical advancement. This is not simple. You cannot eliminate the habits you have developed over the years within a few months. The responsibility lies with me. I will always bear it. We must speed up the pace of work and pass on my ideas. The team must use the existing players to find motivation because we cannot find another way."

How long does this construction site take to be constructed?

"Today we tried various ways and sent players who were good at scoring goals, but unfortunately we failed. We didn't have time to keep the offensive end in the 'construction' state. Although it is only the second round now, the expectations of the outside world are very high. Today, maybe I was unable to convey enough peace and motivation, and I took the responsibility. But the direction has always remained unchanged. We are Inter Milan, and the outside world has extremely high expectations for us."

Will you enable more new players?

"This team has done a lot of good things over the years. I don't want to throw them away. I just want to get rid of some of the small shortcomings that are exposed when looking for ways to play. It is not easy to face a team that is strong and waiting for you to attack in the backcourt. Udinese's defense is doing well today. We must be more pragmatic and specific, and make the most correct choice in the moment of the game based on the space given to you by the opponent."

Are you referring to a player like Barrera?

"On the personal level, everyone must give full play to the best they can do now. Today, everyone looks a bit fancy and difficult when organizing and promoting. I just want to talk about my players, not the transfer market. The expectations of us are different because we are Inter Milan. If we fail to do our best today, the responsibility will always be with me."