"Stramaccioni has brought enthusiasm"

Posted Monday, April 02, 2012 by ESPN

Inter Milan skipper Javier Zanetti says the enthusiasm new manager Andrea Stramaccioni has brought to the role helped them edge Genoa 5-4 at San Siro.

On Sunday, Stramaccioni kicked off his career in charge of Inter with a win in a pulsating game which at one point saw the home side lead 3-0 after 38 minutes through goals from Walter Samuel and an early brace from Diego Milito.

However, Emiliano Moretti pulled a goal back and Rodrigo Palacio scored with Genoa's first of three penalties to hand Genoa a lifeline. Mauro Zarate then restored a two-goal lead for Inter but the home side were pegged back again after Alberto Gilardino scored from the spot after Julio Cesar was sent off for conceding a penalty.

Inter eventually sealed the 5-4 win when Fernando Belluschi was then sent off with Milito completing his hat-trick from the spot.

"We worked really hard this week with a coach who has brought enthusiasm, and we've shown our willingness to start again," Zanetti told Inter Channel.

"What is important is that the reaction was there, even if there are some things to correct. Considering that it was the first match I think we can be content. We talked a lot with the coach, and he's a clever person.

"Unfortunately getting to Europe [next season] doesn't only depend on us. We'll try to do the best we can. We have an obligation to try until the very end."

Meanwhile, Zanetti's team-mate Zarate, who scored for the club on Sunday, believes Stramaccioni has already managed to instill him with confidence.
"The coach gave me confidence, and because of this my head was already in a different place," he told Inter Channel.

"I was ready for a game. I knew that sooner or later the moment would come. The coach saw that I was ready. In three or four words he told me that it was my turn and we understood each other immediately. I'm happy to play on both the left and the right. On the left I can move inside and shoot on goal, and on the right it's easier to cut, which is also important."

Inter next travel to Cagliari in Serie A on Saturday.