Mauro Icardi should have no problem at being on the
bench for Inter's win over Genoa, says Roberto
Mancini.
Roberto Mancini stood by his decision to drop Mauro Icardi for
Inter's 1-0 win over Genoa on Saturday, insisting the team is
more important than the captain.
The 22-year-old was the joint highest scorer - the
Capocannoniere - in Serie A last season but has struggled in
front of goal this term, netting just four times in 12 top-flight
outings.
And after naming him among the substitutes for the visit of
Genoa, the Inter coach insisted the team takes precedence and
the Argentine cannot get frustrated at starting on the bench on
occasion.
"I am the coach of Inter, not of Icardi and Jovetic. We have
many excellent forwards and they all deserve playing time,"
Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.
"I do believe Icardi and Jovetic can play together, but there's a
team to be considered and others who also deserve to play.
"Icardi only missed two games out of 15 this season, it can
happen.
"He knows if we are to get into the Champions League, then his
goals will be crucial, but that doesn't mean he can't be on the
bench occasionally.
"Our four forward players today did really well in the first half,
running hard and giving no reference points to opposition
defenders. The only thing we lacked before the break was a
goal."
Felipe Melo continued after suffering a blow to the head in the
first half but was replaced at half-time, and Mancini revealed the
details behind the decision.
"He came off and did not remember anything, but wanted to
return. He wanted to play on after the first half, but we preferred
to change it."
The win over Genoa saw Inter return to first place, two points
ahead of Napoli, who can regain the lead by beating Bologna
away on Sunday.
bench for Inter's win over Genoa, says Roberto
Mancini.
Inter's 1-0 win over Genoa on Saturday, insisting the team is
more important than the captain.
The 22-year-old was the joint highest scorer - the
Capocannoniere - in Serie A last season but has struggled in
front of goal this term, netting just four times in 12 top-flight
outings.
And after naming him among the substitutes for the visit of
Genoa, the Inter coach insisted the team takes precedence and
the Argentine cannot get frustrated at starting on the bench on
occasion.
"I am the coach of Inter, not of Icardi and Jovetic. We have
many excellent forwards and they all deserve playing time,"
Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.
"I do believe Icardi and Jovetic can play together, but there's a
team to be considered and others who also deserve to play.
"Icardi only missed two games out of 15 this season, it can
happen.
"He knows if we are to get into the Champions League, then his
goals will be crucial, but that doesn't mean he can't be on the
bench occasionally.
"Our four forward players today did really well in the first half,
running hard and giving no reference points to opposition
defenders. The only thing we lacked before the break was a
goal."
Felipe Melo continued after suffering a blow to the head in the
first half but was replaced at half-time, and Mancini revealed the
details behind the decision.
"He came off and did not remember anything, but wanted to
return. He wanted to play on after the first half, but we preferred
to change it."
The win over Genoa saw Inter return to first place, two points
ahead of Napoli, who can regain the lead by beating Bologna
away on Sunday.
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