Pioli: "Another chance to show our fans what we can do"

APPIANO GENTILE – Stefano Pioli has told Inter to pull out all the stops and try to “win them all” in the last two months of the season.

The coach was speaking to journalists at Suning Training Centre ahead of Monday's match against Sampdoria at San Siro.

Asked what the team's target is going into the final nine matches of the season, he replied: “Our target is very simple: we want to give our all and try to win all our remaining games.

“There are areas where we can improve but we've got good foundations to build on – we have the right attitude and a clear identity. We must try to play even better and we're working on several areas to make sure our results continue to improve.”

Probed specifically on whether Inter can finish third, Pioli added: “We mustn't set any limits, just focus on winning all our games. We've got the ability to do that. It's going to be very difficult but with the right attitude we'll have no problem taking each game as it comes.

“Every game is a chance for us to show what we can do – especially when we're playing in front or our fans. We want to play nice football and win.

“We've had this break and we made the most of the time available to do what we felt we needed to do. The players who stayed behind have trained really well.

"Today was the first time we had everyone back together for a proper session as some of them had very long journeys to make but physically and mentally they're all looking good.

“Now is not the time to draw any conclusions. We have to remain focused on the task at hand. We'll look at what we've achieved and what platform we have to build on at the end of the season.”

The coach also had the following to say Monday's opponents: “Sampdoria play good football and [Marco] Giampaolo is clued up – he knows how to set his teams up well. We know what to expect from them.”

Finally, Pioli fielded a couple of questions about Gabriel Barbosa and Mauro Icardi.

"Gabriel is very young, he's working well and improving. He's come on loads.

“Mauro has been able to work and train well in Appiano Gentile over the last two weeks

“It's good to have players who are motivated and happy and it's important to have that attitude all the time.”