Kolarov Defends Inter's Form: 'Still Six Points Clear'

Inter Milan's assistant coach Aleksandar Kolarov has defended the team's recent 1-1 draw against Fiorentina, asserting that criticism is unwarranted. He stated, "We are not experiencing our best period, but we maintain a six-point lead, which indicates we must have performed well overall."

The Nerazzurri began the match strongly at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Francesco Pio Esposito scoring an early goal just 40 seconds into the game.

However, Fiorentina managed to equalize when Cher Ndour capitalized on a rebound from Yann Sommer's save against Albert Gudmundsson, securing a 1-1 draw.

Kolarov Defends Inter Amidst Stumbles

With head coach Cristian Chivu serving a touchline ban, Aleksandar Kolarov stepped in as assistant manager, taking charge from the dugout and handling media duties.

"We understood the importance of securing three points, but Fiorentina also deserves credit for their strong performance," Kolarov commented.

He acknowledged, "It wasn't our strongest match, and we're not in our peak form this season. Nevertheless, we still hold a six-point advantage at the top of the league, meaning our fate remains entirely in our own hands."

A recurring concern for Inter is their tendency to drop points from winning positions, having squandered 12 Serie A points this season—a figure higher than any other team.

Kolarov further explained, "We appear to be lacking some determination and perhaps sharpness, likely due to fatigue accumulated over numerous matches. While this isn't our strongest period, and we're accustomed to seeing Inter dominate games, we still lead by six points. It's up to us to solidify our position and clinch the title."

"I believe there's a perception that when it comes to Inter, people expect us to achieve everything effortlessly," he noted. "Drawing away against a formidable Fiorentina side, who have been in excellent form recently, should be viewed as a relatively positive outcome."

"Our six-point lead indicates that we've certainly done many things right throughout the season. While I acknowledge and understand the criticism, Inter remains at the top of the league," Kolarov concluded.

Inter is currently on a four-game winless streak across all competitions, having collected just two points from their last three Serie A fixtures.

This slump has allowed rivals AC Milan to narrow the gap to six points, with Napoli just seven points behind, potentially setting up a three-way title race heading into the final eight rounds of the season.

Following the international break, Inter faces crucial matches against Roma and Como. The direct clash between AC Milan and Napoli in Week 31 could also prove advantageous for the Nerazzurri.

It's plausible that Inter's recent struggles coincide with Lautaro Martinez's injury. This raises questions about whether the other forwards are adequately filling the role previously played by their captain.

"Our forwards are crucial to our playing style; they need to be able to hold up the ball effectively," Kolarov stated. "However, it's not solely about the strikers. We also require improved quality in our build-up play from the defense and to provide our attackers with precise service."

With the Italy national team camp located just 2 kilometers from the Stadio Franchi, both Inter and Fiorentina's Italian players will proceed directly from the stadium to join the Nazionale in preparation for the upcoming World Cup play-offs.

"I believe the players are currently heading there. Apart from Bastoni, everyone is fit and available for coach Gattuso. I extend my best wishes to them all," Kolarov concluded.