Mancio loses Ibra and Chivu    
Saturday 5 April, 2008

Roberto Mancini is confident Inter can defeat Atalanta despite missing Zlatan
Ibrahimovic, David Suazo and Cristian Chivu.

The Serie A leaders have been going through an injury crisis and were already
without long-term absentees Walter Samuel, Ivan Cordoba and Olivier Dacourt.

“Tomorrow will be the most important game and, if all goes well, even more
decisive than the one coming up with Fiorentina.”

It won’t be an easy task, as Atalanta have an enviable home record and are
fresh from conquering Milan at San Siro.

“They proved they are in good shape and played a fantastic game against
Milan for almost the whole 90 minutes. Clearly the Rossoneri poured forward
in the final stages to get back into it. Atalanta are a pacey side with very
talented players.”

Inter have been stuttering of late, picking up just two points from their
last three Serie A games, but Mancio believes the situation has changed.

“It was very important to spend this last week training with all the players
and returning to tactical work with the team, something we had been unable to
do before because of the sheer number of games in our schedule.

“We have also got back some players from injury and I think our difficult
moment in terms of fitness has passed.

“Unfortunately we had a few figures who had to get back in shape, but could
only do that by playing instead of training, so that shows on the pitch come
Sunday.”

Mancini was asked about reports that Milan are set to snap up Ronaldinho – a
player who has also been linked with Inter.

“I don’t think Barcelona want to sell,” he commented. “Ronaldinho is a
great player going through a difficult time. With these players it always
depends on them, as if they want to play then they can always make the
difference.

“However, and I say this from personal experience, it is impossible to skip
training and play good football. In the long run it’s just not possible.”

The tactician certainly has gone over this territory before when talking to
Adriano, who will return after his loan spell at San Paolo.

“I don’t know what kind of lifestyle Adriano is having right now, nor how
he is training. He is scoring now and I have heard positive things over the
past few weeks after some difficulties early on.

“In any case, I repeat that the most important thing for a player is to live
the lifestyle of an athlete, but that goes for everyone.”

Inter squad: Toldo, Julio Cesar, Orlandoni; Zanetti, Maxwell, Maicon,
Burdisso, Materazzi, Rivas; Stankovic, Figo, Jimenez, Vieira, Cambiasso,
Solari, Maniche, Pele; Cruz, Crespo, Balotelli.
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