Inter`s defender, Federico Dimarco, recently acknowledged a personal struggle with confidence but emphasized his ongoing efforts to regain his best form mentally, attributing his progress to the support of his coach and teammates.
During a pre-match press conference held before Inter`s Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague on Tuesday, the Nerazzurri wing-back candidly discussed his recent dip in confidence.
Dimarco Reflects: `My Performance Dropped Compared to Recent Seasons`
Inter is set to host Slavia Prague at San Siro on Tuesday evening.
Following a somewhat turbulent start to the season, marked by consecutive Serie A losses to Juventus and Udinese, Inter has since secured three consecutive victories, notably a 2-0 Champions League away win against Ajax.
“We`re in good form and aiming for a fourth straight win. I`m actively working to restore the confidence I`ve recently lost,” Dimarco stated during Monday`s pre-match press conference.
Journalists probed the Italy international for further explanation regarding his statement about regaining confidence.
He elaborated, stating, “I experienced a personal lack of confidence. I recognized that my performance wasn`t at the level I maintained over the past three and a half years with Inter, but such phases occur. I am overcoming this with the support of my coach and teammates.”
Inquiring about a recent improvement, reporters asked Dimarco if his confidence had grown following Inter’s 2-0 win against Cagliari.
“I concur; our performance in Cagliari was strong, though there’s always room for improvement,” he responded. “Similarly, against Juventus, for instance, we also delivered a solid game.”
When asked about the distinctions in working under Simone Inzaghi versus Chivu, Dimarco commented:
“Match preparation truly happens through playing. Being substituted around the 60th minute frequently made it challenging to develop. This year, I’m getting more playing time, and that’s evident in my performance.”
“We are aiming for a more vertical style of play, but without abandoning the foundational principles we`ve established over the past few years.”
Addressing a question about last season`s 5-0 Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Dimarco stated, “We’ve moved past dwelling on the past. We began this season with a strong victory, and our goal is to maintain that momentum.”
Dimarco also shared his impressions of Inter`s summer signings:
“The new players are integrating smoothly. They are youthful and talented, and they’ll be a significant asset to us. They are committed individuals eager to contribute, even if they aren`t starting every match. Inter is currently at a high level and possesses the potential for further improvement.”
Looking ahead to the match against Slavia Prague, Dimarco cautioned, “We must not underestimate our opponents; they are a strong team that plays man-to-man, so we need to be adept at evading their pressing tactics.”
