Stramaccioni praise for Inter youngsters
Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni was full of praise for the youngsters in his side that helped them beat Neftci 3-1 in the Europa League.
With the Milan derby coming up, Stramaccioni made sweeping changes to the his side and retained only three of the players from the starting eleven that edged out Fiorentina over the weekend to face Neftci.
The unfamiliar side included the likes of Marko Livaja, Joel Obi and Philippe Coutinho - all three are under the age of 21 and impressed by getting on the scoresheet on Thursday night.
Stramaccioni was pleased with the side's ability to keep to the shape despite the absence of many first team names.
"We knew it would be a difficult game, but Inter played a great first half," he was quoted by Sky Italia, "There were only three players who started against Fiorentina [last weekend], so maintaining a certain shape and character away from home means the whole group is growing together.
"Of course it is always better to have Sneijder than not, but Philippe [Coutinho] has always shown himself to be ready when called on. I will have the opportunity to alternate them depending on form.
"There were five players who are under 20 years old and these are important signals, because it means we are building a new era."
Both Inter and AC Milan enter the Milan derby having won their midweek European fixtures, with the Rossoneri earning a hard-fought 3-2 away win against Zenit St Petersburg and Stramaccioni believes that his side are underdogs going into the tie.
"It was important to win and be top of the group. Now we can think about the derby," he continued.
"The thing I like most about this team is the fact they always seem solid and yet dangerous. Are we favourites in the derby? No, I think Milan are after their victory over Zenit in St Petersburg."