Post by Taxigirl on Nov 26, 2003 9:47:41 GMT
Alberto Zaccheroni has praised Arsenal, but insists his players must hold their heads up high and look forward after this 5-1 home defeat.
“The finale should never have happened,” noted the Coach, “as we conceded far too much space to Thierry Henry and fell apart.”
“Arsenal deserved the victory and they are a great squad that was admittedly superior on this particular night.”
The Nerazzurri appeared to fall apart after Arsenal went 3-1 up and Zaccheroni insists that their mentality made the difference.
“Up until their third goal I’d say that Jens Lehmann was more tested than Francesco Toldo. When Julio Cruz came on I thought Inter had become more dynamic and looked like equalising, but the 3-1 killed the game and we just collapsed.”
The side had increased in confidence during Zac’s reign and at the weekend hammered Reggina 6-0, but the tension of the Hector Cuper era has not been dissipated.
“This is a mistake we must not repeat in future as you cannot just give up once the result goes against you.”
Group B is now blown wide open and any of the four teams can qualify, including Inter’s last opponents Dynamo Kiev.
“I certainly would not have wanted the final match to be so important in Kiev,” conceded Zac, “but we should at least be happy that there is a last chance.”
“This is not a time for sitting at the table crying. It was another step on the ladder and it is by no means the last. We must prepare for the next match.”
The next fortnight will be crucial for Inter’s ambitions this season, as this coming Saturday they face a Scudetto showdown with Serie A leaders Juventus.
“I am convinced that this is a very good team that will not be cowed by this result. We must keep our heads held high.”
“I always say that winning helps you to win in future,” concluded the Coach, “so I must work on their mentality to start up again after this defeat.”
Thierry Henry was the star of the show with a brace and commented on this extraordinary result.
“It was a difficult game for us as everyone said that Arsenal could not win something in Europe,” noted the Frenchman, “so we wanted to answer all that criticism.”
“It was the same thing as the Highbury game, as they seemed in trouble going into that but now they really did have to come forward and not defend. This left us room to counter-attack in.”
Group B has now been blown wide open, as Lokomotiv Moscow lead on 8 points ahead of Arsenal and Inter on 7. The Nerazzurri face a tough final trip to Dynamo Kiev, who are also not out of the running.
“I definitely think Inter can progress,” insisted Henry. “Football is a bit strange sometimes, but we are very happy tonight and it is a very tough group.”
Henry was allowed to leave Juventus after just six months, but does not hold that against Serie A.
“That is in the past for me now,” he concluded. “I am an Arsenal player and love this club.”