Inter Milan vs Genoa preview - Stramaccioni primed for Inter bow

Posted Sunday, April 01, 2012 by PA

New Inter Milan manager Andrea Stramaccioni will have to put emotions to one side when he makes his Serie A coaching debut against Genoa on Sunday.

The 36-year-old was promoted from youth team coach to guide the senior side after the Nerazzurri parted company with Claudio Ranieri earlier this week.

Ranieri was shown the door after last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Juventus left Inter 10 points adrift of the third and last Champions League qualifying place.

Stramaccioni is aware of the responsibility he faces but insists he does not think his lack of experience will be a disadvantage.

"It's obviously a different world," he said. "It's light years away from the youth team. If then you consider you are coaching Inter, one of the top clubs in the world, then that difference goes without saying.

"But it gives me great pride to coach these great players. I think if the president has given me this opportunity it is because of what he has seen in the work I've done on the pitch in the last six months.

"The only certainty that I have is my ideas. I am humble and I want to bring this team back to where it belongs.

"I don't feel fear. I want to bring enthusiasm."

Inter have won just one of their last 10 league games and are eighth in Serie A with nine games remaining.

"I don't think Inter have been fortunate this season," Stramaccioni said. "But I know this team is strong.

"I have confidence in the players, in the club, and I believe in my work. We just have to take it one game at a time."

Genoa have also struggled this year and travel to the San Siro looking for their first win since February 5.

The Grifoni have taken four points since then and last weekend's 2-2 draw against Fiorentina dropped them to 14th place, seven points clear of the drop zone.

The hosts will be without defender Maicon and winger Wesley Sneijder through injury.