MILAN - Inter's technical director Marco Branca was interviewed this morning on Radio Rai programme Radio Anch'io Sport.

Branca, incredible numbers for Inter. Eleven victories from fifteen games, 110 goals in 46 consecutive games at the Meazza, 33 goals scored this season and just 8 conceded, and 9 goals in the last 3 matches...
"There's not much to add... We're doing very well, especially if we consider that this season comes after last year's excellent season, and that we started off with a few small problems like the disqualifications in the Champions League and a number of injuries in defence first and then in midfield. But we have to say that the team has reacted perfectly and I think we have the right mentality."

With his tactical ability and with many players who can cover various roles, Mancini has managed to do without the injured players. Do you agree that Inter's true strength is their great tactical versatility?
"Yes, I agree. Our coach has been working on a mentality and a way of playing for the last three years. It's nice to see players play well and do what they have to do at the right time."

Some of Inter's players are very good at this, like Chivu who besides being a great player can also cover various positions both in defence and midfield. And let's not forget the great job done by Roberto Mancini, particularly in defence. Too many compliments?
"It's right like this at the moment, just like a bit of criticism is right when things are going less well. A team's defence always depends on the strikers. If they get into the right positions they can make those movements that make it difficult for opposing teams to come forward. We talked about Chivu who is the last player to arrive here, but I think the others also work very hard and know what they have to do. Samuel, for example, was out through suspension yesterday but he is having a great championship. They all do their best for themselves and, above all, for the team."

Adriano is undergoing psychophysical therapy in Brazil. How is he?
"We certainly haven't forgotten about him. We have all been trying to resolve this thing together for two years now. Today our doctor is leaving for Brazil, from where we are hearing good news. We designed a work schedule with him and we want to let him complete it calmly. We hope everything goes well for him and us, we hope he can be in the same form as his team-mates when he has finished his work in South America. How long will the period of training last? We haven't set a deadline, but at the start of the new year we will see what progress has been made."

At what point is the injury situation? Will you need to buy new midfielders during the transfer window?
"We have a few problems in that department, and Jimenez had a physical problem in yesterday's match but it shouldn't be anything serious. We will look at the situation after the derby on 23 December and look at the condition of the players out injured and see who should be ready for January. However, we are confident and we hope we don't have to buy any new players."

There's talk of an interest in two great young players: Menez of Monaco and Banega of Boca Juniors...
"There's no doubt that they are two interesting young players, but it's not as if we're going crazy for them because we are so happy with the lads we already have. If we don't have any problems, and I hope we don't, we will stay as we are."

Don't you think we should acknowledge Massimo Moratti for always having great faith in Roberto Mancini?
"The president has always had great tenacity down the years. He has always had clear ideas and he's now reaping the deserved rewards."

There are some young Italians who are doing well at so-called small clubs. Do Inter have any promising youngsters currently on loan who you would bring straight back to such a strong team as this?
"We are probably the team that has handed the most first-team debuts to youngsters in recent years, and that has them distributed over the most categories. And we have more interesting youngsters this year, like Francesco Bolzoni who is on our Champions League list and who is the youngest player called up to Casiraghi's (Italian) Under-21 team. We pay attention to young players and we hope we can nurture one of our players in the same way as Bergomi for Inter or Maldini for Milan. We're hopeful. We're working very hard to nurturing a young player who can stay at the club."