‘Vidic to learn back three, then…’

By Football Italia staff

Walter Mazzarri has explained how Nemanja Vidic will learn to play in a back three, before Inter then all work on a back four defence.

The Nerazzurri’s early work at the start of preseason training in Pinzolo has had the Coach putting the players through both 3-5-2 and 4-4-1-1 systems.

Facing the media today for the first time this summer, Mazzarri was quizzed on new arrival Nemanja Vidic in particular, given he has never played in the Coach’s preferred system of a three-man defence.

“I am without so many players from the World Cup, he is the only purchase alongside Dodo to be training here,” began the 52-year-old to reporters.

“For him, I have started with a three-man defence to make him understand my concepts and my intentions.

“I want the guy to absorb my concepts, then we will all be working on the back four. Then, he is an expert, he will not take long to figure out the three-man defence, because it is easier than a defence of four, that has different mechanisms.

“Is Dodo ideal for the back four? I would say that Jonathan and Nagatomo have already played in a back four.

“Dodo is young, I believe in him - if we do not change formation then he will be one of the four wingers that we will alternate between the various competitions. He will be comfortable beyond the formation.”

Mazzarri was asked about the absence of those key players due to their World Cup commitments, and if this impinges on his plans, particular in view of Europa League activity.

“I wanted the complete squad from today, but there is the World Cup. I am a preparer and already know what we will do, soon we have the Europa League and we will have to figure out who is eligible to play.

“How will the Europa League change things? We have begun earlier to better prepare for the preliminary round, to give an important tactical basis without losing speed.

“We have been careful in making the work very light - work with the ball and with speed will come in time and bring the right physical and mental preparation.”

Vidic has been suggested as a candidate to take Javier Zanetti’s place as club captain, but the Coach has indicated Andrea Ranocchia is still the man intended.

“Who will be captain? He who will prove to be most professional, the requirements are plenty.

“For me, Andrea Ranocchia is the most suitable, because he is eligible to take on this responsibility.

“Then, it is up to him to prove that he deserves it.”

Mazzarri, who discussed his motivation and intention to have an Inter side ‘ready to fight’ next season, was asked about intentions in the transfer market.

“Of the new signings, I will talk about Vidic and Dodo, people who we have acquired. I prefer not to speak of others, because they are not ours.

“The ideas are those of the club, with whom I communicate, then they will tell you. Thohir has said certain words in respect to certain aspects.

“The situation with Rolando [Inter struggling to reach agreement with Porto]? He is a player appreciated by the technical staff, but this is not enough.

“Last year he had a great year, if he came back then I would be happy.

“Concern over the attack? There are two ways to score a goal, with many players or with a main striker. In my teams it is easier to find more people to score goals, perhaps from midfield and the wings.

“I do not want you do think that without strikers we will not score.”

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