Elated Joel Obi Backs Inter To Benefit From Mancini

Inter Milan midfielder, Joel Obi was gladdened by his equaliser in Sunday’s derby game against AC Milan.

The Derby della Madonnina ended a goal apiece as Obi’s low strike from 18 yards minute past an hour sealed a vital point for the Nerazzurri on Roberto Mancini’s return as manager six years after his departure.

Obi celebrated his strike with a series of well-executed back flips. He is obviously happy to have made a difference in such an important game.

“I’m happy to have scored. We worked hard during the week,” said the 23-year-old Nigeria international. “Mancini has some tactical ideas that I think we can really benefit from.”

Mancini, who guided Inter to three league titles in his previous spell, watched his second coming disrupted by Jeremy Menez’s powerful side-footed effort within 23 minutes. The 49-year-old manager, after just five days of working with the side since replacing Walter Mazarri, has rang the changes already, with Inter playing a 4-3-3 formation in his first game instead of their former 3-5-2.

He had won four, lost five and drawn one of the clash of two city rivals and could have gotten off to a winning start had striker Mauro Icardi converted great chances either side of Obi’s equaliser- the latter volley of which the Argentine swiveled on to the post and crossbar in the closing stages.

Joel Obi Celebrates  Scoring During the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday. Image: FCIM.
Joel Obi Celebrates Scoring During the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday. Image: FCIM.

“We really wanted to win it and we ended up drawing but we’ll take that all the same,” Obi said.

“The gaffer had tried me out in that position but we were all ready to play. We have more options playing with this formation and more alternatives for us midfielders.”

The 49-year-old Italian said Inter would have to “rectify” the errors that probably cost them all three points but was satisfied with his players’ contributions.

“We can’t afford to miss goalscoring chances. Making mistakes at the start of the game changes the whole outlook for the rest of the game,” added Mancini. “That is one of the several things we will be looking to rectify.”

“But I’m happy with how we played. It wasn’t easy with just five days working together trying to adapt to a new system after having worked a year and a half under a different one. Starting with the derby wasn’t the easiest thing. Obviously, it wasn’t a normal night. It’s been quite a hectic past two days.

“You have to rely on your instinct but it was great to come back to the San Siro and see it so full. We wanted to win, but in the end it was a fair result.”

The draw leaves Milan seventh in the table, 13 points adrift of leaders Juventus, with Inter in ninth place a further point adrift.