Inter Milan's assistant coach Sinisa Mihajlovic expressed delight at his team's 1-0 win against AS Roma in Serie A on Wednesday, hailing the victory as the perfect rebuttal to earlier criticism. Inter coach Roberto Mancini lost his voice during the match and designated the new assistant coach and former Inter player to speak to the press on his behalf. "We are satisfied because the Olimpico is a very difficult ground," Mancini said in a statement to Inter's official website. "The draw handed us a very difficult start to the championship with the two trips to Florence and Rome, and we won both of them. "We played very well this evening and we're pleased because Roma weren't that dangerous in attack." The Italian giants have been criticized for losing 1-0 to Sporting and gaining only a draw against Sampdoria, but the goal from Hernan Crespo marked victory for Inter on Wednesday.
Adriano started the game on the bench "The whole team played well. We did well in defense because Roma had few shots on goal. We kept the ball well in midfield, and we were often dangerous with Ibra and Crespo in attack," Mihajlovic said. Crespo was chosen over the formidable Adriano, who has received a lot of media attention recently in regards to his fitness and ability to perform. While Mihajlovic defended the 24-year-old player, he admitted that Crespo was presently the stronger striker. "Crespo is in better form than Adriano at the moment. Adri is training hard and well," he said. "Both him and us know how important he is for this Inter when he's in form. He will give his all to reach top fitness." Crespo has remained realistic about his position on the team, and upbeat about the impending return to bench that he faces. "I'm playing a lot at the moment but there will come a time when I will be on the bench to take a breather," Crespo said. "The bench won't be a problem, you have to accept it. No one has ever died going on the bench."
