Stramaccioni: "We were always in it"

"A draw was fair. Guarin drove us on. Sneijder? It's important to bring things to a close"

ROME – After the 1-1 draw against the Giallorossi, Andrea Stramaccioni had his say: "With respect to Roma and their obvious potential, we were always in it. And playing with two forwards plus Guarin showed that we were going to make our presence felt. Roma got off to a fantastic start, but towards the end of the first half and at the start of the second Inter were playing very well. In the end a draw was a fair result. We were missing a few players up front and we felt their absence a bit."

The Inter coach also did not hide his feelings regarding the Stadio Olimpico in Rome: "I was really excited to be here. I’m a simple lad and certain things move me."

He expanded on some of his starting choices, beginning with Esteban Cambiasso on the bench: "Cambiasso is important for us but I opted for a harder running midfield pair. It was a choice made for this match. Guarin? He’s an important player and he shows it. He’s someone who drives the team onward. Rocchi? He still wasn’t at 100 percent yet. Livaja played a great game and nearly had a wonder goal."

It was inevitable that the discussion would turn to Wesley Sneijder, whose transfer to Turkey was announced by Galatasaray: "I’m waiting to speak with the president, but as I’ve already said – in one way or another – it was important to bring things to a close. What transfer market moves? My players are doing just fine. If a midfielder comes then he has to have characteristics that are different from those of the players I have. If not then we’re fine just the same."

Finally, a comment on the injured players: "Only Alvarez is coming back and he’ll join us here in Rome. However, Milito, Cassano, Samuel and Stankovic won’t make it."

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