Zanetti: Inter failed to capitalise

Posted Monday, March 26, 2012 by ESPN

Inter Milan skipper Javier Zanetti was left bitterly disappointed to see his team leave Juventus Stadium without a point despite their best efforts on Sunday.

The ongoing dispute between the two clubs over the Serie A titles in 2005 and 2006 meant that Sunday's Derby d'Italia was always going to be a competitive fixture and it was a close affair with nothing separating the teams at half-time.

However, Juve took the lead early in the second half through Martin Caceres before Alessandro Del Piero's goal sealed a 2-0 win for the home side.

"Inter, particularly in the first half, played a great game, and we did so at Juve's ground, in a stadium in which the Bianconeri are unbeaten," Zanetti told Sky Sport Italia.

"We knew we could cause them problems, but we failed to capitalise. We also started the second half well, but their goal took the wind out of our sails."

The result was Inter's 12th defeat of the season and it leaves them in eighth place in the table and in real danger of missing out on European competition next season.

Inter next host Genoa on Sunday in Serie A.

"We have to think Sunday after Sunday. It's useless to make calculations," Zanetti said.

"We have to try and win as much as possible and do the best that we possibly can. It's been a negative season and it's pointless trying to hide that."

Meanwhile, Inter boss Claudio Ranieri was left to reflect on another tough defeat.

"This year we just can't seem to get on board the right train," Ranieri said on the club's website.

"The regret is for having a very good hour of play and having let in a goal on a set piece. The umpteenth lapse in concentration, leaving Caceres alone and free. Then we didn't have the strength to fight back.

"If you look at the table you see the difference between them and us, and if you watched the first hour of play tonight you didn't see this difference."

The Bianconeri have moved 15 points clear of Inter as a result of Sunday's win.