Roberto Mancini puts his faith in Inter’s teenage sensation Mario Balotelli to beat Torino, although he hopes Zlatan Ibrahimovic can be back soon.
The Swede is still out of action, as he has returned to his homeland for intense therapy on his knee tendon injury.
“He went to Sweden to shake off some of the pressure he’s under here,” revealed Mancini when asked about the controversial visit.
“He will train in Malmoe with his favoured physiotherapist and this can only do him good. I was hoping he’d be ready for this game, but now let us say either Cagliari or the one after that.”
Inter aim to have Ibra ready for action in the Milan derby on May 4, although Mancio realises match fitness is another matter.
“I hope he can train without problems then, as Patrick Vieira’s experience proves, he needs to play in a squad situation. It all depends on what condition he’s in when he returns next week.”
In the meantime, the hitman’s boots will go to 17-year-old Balotelli, who has scored two goals in as many Serie A games.
“He is very talented, albeit young. He has quality and deserves to play in this current form. The fact he is so young can only represent an advantage for him.
“Above all Balotelli is playing because he has great technique and that is what the team needs right now.”
He will unleash the youth team player on Torino on Sunday, a side that is struggling to escape the drop zone and makes its debut under returning Coach Gianni De Biasi.
“They are a good team and have picked up far less than they deserved this season,” assured Mancini.
“They are not in a crisis situation. Perhaps they just feel a little pressure being so low down the standings.”
Inter squad: 1 Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Orlandoni; 4 Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 24 Rivas, 26 Chivu; 5 Stankovic, 11 Jimenez, 19 Cambiasso, 21 Solari, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelè, 31 Cesar; 9 Cruz, 18 Crespo, 29 Suazo, 45 Balotelli.
