Stramaccioni defends Guarin error

By FOX SPORTS staff

Guarin lost possession and allowed Riccardo Meggiorini to score the first of his two goals in the 24th minute. In the second half, Meggiorini helped the visitors grab a lead with a nice finish at the near post and punished an insipid Inter side. 

Inter, who had earlier led through a Cristian Chivu header, needed Javier Zanetti to combine with compatriot Esteban Cambiasso in the 66th minute to prevent a loss by the end of the game. However, even a share of the spoils would have been a disappointment for the Nerazzurri as the likes of Juventus and Lazio had dropped points earlier in the weekend. 

Stramaccioni, however, did not feel Guarin was solely responsible for allowing Torino the confidence-boosting opener. 

"We started out well and didn't allow Torino to control the game, then we made a big collective error," was Stramaccioni's assessment after the game.

"In a tough game like this at San Siro, you can't just throw away a lead. I don't intend to blame an individual, as it was an issue for the whole team and we were caught unprepared.

"In order to try to win the game, we left spaces for Torino and they could've punished us further. At the end of the day I think the draw was the right result.

"Guarin? He made a mistake, but these things can happen to everyone, including me. It was a bad mistake, but we can't blame anyone individually."

The club have also been curiously quiet on the transfer front as they have not brought in anyone to replace Wesley Sneijder. But Stramaccioni does not believe that a lack of reinforcements will prevent his side from securing a third-place finish by the end of the season. 

"This team has an identity and, even if nobody new arrives in January, the objective remains third place," continued Stramaccioni.

"We missed a chance tonight [Sunday], but must compliment Torino for a great performance. Now we have a week to prepare for Siena."

The former Serie A champions face Siena on Sunday at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.