Kolarov defensive: ‘Inter not in best spell, but still six points clear’
Aleksandar Kolarov insists criticism of Inter’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina is unwarranted. ‘We are not in our best period, but we are six points clear, we must’ve done something good.’
The Nerazzurri had got off to the perfect start at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, as Francesco Pio Esposito opened the scoring within 40 seconds.
However, Cher Ndour was ready to tap in the rebound from Yann Sommer’s save on Albert Gudmundsson, giving Fiorentina a 1-1 result.
Kolarov stands up for stuttering Inter
Cristian Chivu was forced to watch from the stands due to a touchline ban, so his assistant manager Kolarov stood in on the bench and in the media room.
“We knew three points were fundamental, but Fiorentina deserve credit too for their performance,” the Inter assistant told DAZN Italia.
“It wasn’t our best game and we are not in our best period of the season, but we are still six points clear at the top of the table, so it is all in our hands.”
This is becoming a real issue, as Inter have fumbled 12 Serie A points from leading situations this season, more than any other club.
“We are lacking some determination and perhaps sharpness too, as fatigue is accumulated over the many games. It is not our best spell of the season, we are used to seeing Inter dominate matches, but we are still six points clear and it is up to us to kill off the title race,” added Kolarov.
“I want to point out that when it comes to Inter, people act as if we should take everything for granted. You can draw away from home against a strong Fiorentina side, they have been on good form recently, so I see a point here as relatively positive.
“If we are six points clear, it must mean we have done some good things over the course of the season. I understand criticism, but Inter are still the leaders.”
Inter are now without a win in four competitive games, scraping only two points from their last three Serie A matches.
It means Milan have closed the gap on the leaders to just six points, while Napoli are only seven behind, making it a potential three-horse race going into the last eight rounds.
After the break for international duty, Inter will be up against Roma and Como, two huge fixtures, but Milan going head-to-head with Napoli in Week 31 could also benefit them.
It is perhaps no coincidence that the difficulties started when Lautaro Martinez suffered his injury, so are the strikers doing the same job that their captain did?
“The forwards are fundamental for our style of play, we need them to hold up the ball, but I don’t just want to talk about the strikers. We also need better quality building out from the back, and to give the forwards the right service.”
The Italy camp is only 2km from the Stadio Franchi, so Inter and Fiorentina’s Azzurri players will go straight from here to join up with the Nazionale ahead of the World Cup play-offs.
“I think the players are on their way now, they are all healthy apart from Bastoni, but everyone else is at the disposal of coach Gattuso. I wish them all the best,” concluded Kolarov.