US Sassuolo Calcio vs Inter Milan preview - Mancini calls for focus
Posted Saturday, January 31, 2015 by PA
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini wants his side to show more focus after conceding a last-gasp goal against Torino.
Last Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Toro dropped Inter to 10th place heading into Sunday's game at Sassuolo.
Mancini is frustrated that his players lacked the discipline to defend the last corner kick of the game that allowed Toro defender Emiliano Moretti to head home the winner.
"The defensive distraction shown by my players at Torino cannot happen again," Mancini told Italian newspaper Il Giornale. "You simply cannot make those mistakes.
"This is a lesson for my players.
"We need to improve a lot on our technique.
"We need to show true leadership on the pitch."
Inter have won just one of their last five league games.
They are 10 points adrift of Napoli, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot, but Mancini has not given up hope of his team finishing in the top three this season.
"Just when it looks impossible, things happen and we cannot give up," he said. "I remember the Premier League title I won at Manchester City (2011-12).
"We won in the 94th minute of the final game of the season having trailed eight points behind Manchester United."
Inter, who are level on 26 points with city rivals AC Milan, are without defenders Juan Jesus and Danilo D'ambrosio, both suspended this weekend.
Mancini is unlikely to hand midfielder Marcelo Brozovic his Serie A debut at Sassuolo.
The Croatia international joined Inter on a two-year loan deal from Dinamo Zagreb this week.
Opponents Sassuolo have lost just once at the the Mapei stadium this season.
The Emilia-Romagna outfit heads into the encounter on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Cagliari, their fifth loss of the campaign.
Sassuolo, coached by Eusebio Di Francesco, have won just one of their last seven games to drop to 12th place, one point adrift of Inter.
The hosts are without defender Francesco Acerbi and striker Floro Flores, both suspended.
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