Inter Milan boss Gian Piero Gasperini has backed his players to answer their doubters at Novara on Tuesday night.
Inter, and Gasperini in particular, have been widely criticised for a slow start to the season which has seen the 2010 Scudetto winners pick up just one point from their opening two games of the Serie A season.
An opening-weekend 4-3 defeat at Palermo was followed by a dull 0-0 home draw with Roma at the weekend, while in between, Inter lost 1-0 at home to Turkish side Trabzonspor in the Champions League.
Gasperini believes their predicament has been overplayed by the Italian media and is confident his side will come good. “We are trying to improve and the best way to respond to criticism is on the field,” he said.
“It has only been two games and it takes a while to settle in. There is always a degree of nastiness from the media when discussing Inter. But the road we are taking seems to me to be the right one. We must continue to show strength.”
There has already been talk of Gasperini being sacked with the Nerazzurri fans showing their displeasure at the end of Saturday’s stalemate. But the former Genoa boss insists he retains the support of president Massimo Moratti.
“I certainly feel that,” he said. “He always gives me confidence and drive. Contrary to what you may think he is a person who gives strong motivation and help. I can only thank him for his support.”
Inter have doubts over Wesley Sneijder, Cristian Chivu and Dejan Stankovic although Gasperini was confident all three would be fit.
Newly-promoted Novara have also picked up one point from their opening two games but both have been away fixtures. And coach Attilio Tesser has called for his players to show no fear when they make their home bow. “We have to take the field without any fear and convinced of our methods,” he said.
“We need to think about our game without paying too much attention to who our opponents are. The name of the opponents indicate the quantum leap we have made since last season. But it is important not to be scared because we have earned this opportunity, for ourselves and our fans.”
