Inter closes 2025 with the away match against Atalanta, scheduled for Sunday 28 December at 8.45pm in Bergamo
Sabine Bertagna Deputy director
December 27, 2025 (modified December 27, 2025 | 9.41 pm)
Inter closes 2025 with the away match against Atalanta, scheduled for Sunday 28 December at 8.45pm in Bergamo. On the eve of the match, valid for the 17th matchday of Serie A, the Nerazzurri coach answers journalists’ questions from the BPER Training Center in Appiano Gentile.
Here are the statements from the Nerazzurri coach, reported by Fcinter1908:
Atalanta has changed pace, what type of match do you expect? How much will it matter to approach in the right way?
It has always been a difficult match, they have built something important in 9 years with Gasperini. They tried to keep things the same, stay competitive, They won the EL. Now they have found continuity in winning, giving the right stimuli. We know it won’t be easy. They are never easy matches due to the way they play, due to the verticality. We must be good and courageous. Maintain the desire and spirit, look for vertical play, go for second balls and be concrete on the opportunities we have.
Transfer, Dumfries injury: is this okay?
It’s always difficult for a coach to talk about the transfer market. It seems like he lacks respect towards other players. A coach will never be able to tell you what is missing, what is needed because it would mean that his team is not up to par. I’ll stop here. It’s never easy. I wanted to explain why.
I’m talking about the team. of society, of the reality of the facts. Of what I experienced. I never talk about myself. They have been difficult months, especially at the beginning. We have done everything to put ourselves on the right path to be competitive. We have left behind the disappointments of the past, the shortcomings. We got on track and tried to add from a tactical and mental point of view. We are not perfect. We are trying to improve the aspects that sometimes influence the performance of a season. We did some good things, some not so good things. We’re trying to get rid of some problems. Every day this team wants to be competitive. He must maintain the right ambition.
The championship is long. There are matches that direct the trend. They are all important to us. This is the mentality that Inter must always have. Never go onto the field thinking it’s easy. The best version of what we have. We judge ourselves a little too much. We know that small mistakes can change a match. We are fighting to improve from all points of view, especially from the point of view of responsibility. We must dare every day. We need to be daring from a motivational point of view.
Luis Henrique found a different reality than the one he was used to. Every detail is put under the magnifying glass. On this occasion and in the last few games I haven’t seen a Luis Henrique who isn’t up to Inter’s standards. He did his thing and tried to give his contribution to the team. He lacked a bit of initiative. From a tactical point of view and his performance he did no less than the others. Denzel is an important player for us, for the goals he scored. We cannot judge Luis Henrique based on the goals he scores. We must give him the right time and trust to express his qualities to the fullest because thank God he has them.
We must be stronger than the frustrations, the injustices, the perception of how we are seen on the outside. We only have one goal. Work hard at it. This team has a clear identity. We must not go and remove the backbone of a team that has done things in the past. It’s not easy to add. We do it a little at a time. We are aware. We are working with determination, commitment and responsibility. We need to get out of the comfort zone a bit, out of certainties.
No, we never thought about it. We have already done an experiment with Carlos Augusto and Diouf. Davide we thought of using it a little below the tip, due to its characteristics. For various reasons Davide played less than some expected. I can’t tell you everything, there are things that remain in the locker room. I can’t tell you everything. I take responsibility for anything negative that happens. We got Luis Henrique for that role and he’s doing it reasonably well. Integrating with us is never easy. Diouf gives us that important cue in leaping over the man, in seeking the door at all costs.
Calhanoglu is fine, will Pep Martinez have continuity in goal?
Calhanoglu did not take over from Riyadh. He’s fine, he’s available tomorrow. Pep Martinez gave us some good signs in Riyadh. We have a busy calendar in January, there will be a chance to see it again.
Positive signals from Riyadh?
We tried in every way. Bologna puts anyone in difficulty, a bit like Atalanta. I saw some good things. Something was missing. Sometimes you don’t win games with beauty. With dominance, with ball possession. We need to find the right stimulus. I don’t want to take away, I want to add. I want to do better.
Put someone on the gridiron to get something more? Backs against the wall?
The things that are said inside the locker room… they say things to each other’s faces. I can’t tell you outside. They are the protagonists on the pitch. It doesn’t mean that things aren’t said to one’s face. Or that they don’t take responsibility. It seems simple on the outside but it’s not. If every game that slips becomes a problem, it’s never easy. It would be easy to add 1000 things to please everyone, this team works hard. He has the courage to put his face forward and improve both from a collective and individual point of view. We have always tried to put everything we have into improving ourselves. It’s not even fair to bring up the shortcomings that the players have. They are aware of it. He is told the truth.
FCINTER1908 – Aleksander Stankovic is doing very well, is he on the right path to carve out a space for himself at Inter in the future?
I’m very happy. I’ve known him since I was little. I, together with my father and brother, are his biggest fan. I passed on football values to him. He had the courage to cut the umbilical cord and go and gain experience in Switzerland. Then to Bruges, who wanted him badly. Intelligent boy who understands well what his path is, what his ambition is. We are watching him with interest, I don’t think there is anyone more Inter-centric than him. He is having performances that allow our scouting to watch him and follow him. He’s a product of our academy, he has the Nerazzurri colors in his blood and I like to see him at this level.
Does the Inter experience stimulate you?
This thing stimulates me. I have thick skin, certain things don’t scare me. I accept to be painted and judged. I also accept distortion from reality. I know what I can bring to the table. I sit at the table with people who stimulate me. But even if they weren’t there, I’m not afraid of being alone at the table either. I accepted that this is the job of being an Inter coach. I have a dignity that is not for sale. I know what I bring, I’m loyal and I know what my ambition is. I know what I do to be on a competitive team that knows what goal it wants.
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