Stramaccioni: Inter want to go all the way in the Europa League

Posted Friday, October 26, 2012 by Goal.com

The young trainer was left impressed with his team after their win over Partizan, and declared that they plan to go all the way in Europe's second-tier competition this season

Andrea Stramaccioni says it is Inter's "duty" to put themselves in the running for the Europa League following their late win over Partizan Belgrade.

After collecting their second victory of their campaign on the continent, the Nerazzurri now lead Group H and are in a strong position to qualify, even though it was not always plain sailing for Stramaccioni's men on Thursday.

“Inter care about this competition and it is our duty to be protagonists in Europe and Italy," the 36-year-old told reporters after the match.

"We started in the preliminary rounds and want to go all the way. In the first half we suffered with the way they passed the ball around, I won’t deny that.

“But we knew they were [Partizan] a very technical side. After the break it was an Inter monologue and we created so many scoring opportunities.”

Stramaccioni also reserved special praise for Samir Handanovic, who made a crucial save moments before Rodrigo Palacio broke the deadlock.

“Handanovic’s save was worth three points, every bit as much as Palacio’s goal," he added.

"I liked the way we went looking for the goal, as we knew that a win tonight would put us in a strong position to qualify. Jonathan impressed me after a few performances in which he didn’t show his true worth.

“Now the game in Belgrade will be crucial, as if [Partizan] win that then it all opens up again."