Kolarov: ‘My first Inter game alone, but we’ll be aggressive’
Inter assistant manager Aleksandar Kolarov has a new experience standing in for Cristian Chivu, but promises ‘an aggressive’ performance against Fiorentina.
It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
The pressure is building on the Nerazzurri, who were beaten in the Derby della Madonnina, then held in a contentious 1-1 draw by Atalanta.
As Milan and Napoli have both already won this weekend, the leaders risk seeing the gap closed to as little as five points unless they get a result in Florence.
Inter in safe hands with Kolarov
Coach Chivu is sitting out a touchline ban, so Kolarov has to take over both on the bench and the media room.
“It’s true this is the first time I’ve been on the bench by myself, but I’m relaxed and the squad looked good this week, so they reassured me too,” Kolarov told DAZN Italia.
“The team is doing well, we want to put in a great performance. Various things happened to us during the season, including against Atalanta, but that is in the past now and we want to have our say.”
Inter fans are banned from making this trip due to security concerns, so hundreds gathered at the training ground to see the squad off yesterday.
Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martinez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan didn’t make the journey due to injuries, but Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries are getting back to full fitness.
“We haven’t been as sharp as usual over the last two games, but this is a big opportunity for us to pick up the form we had through most of the season. We intend to be very aggressive this evening.”