Inter could win the Scudetto on Sunday, but Roberto Mancini cancelled any party plans ahead of the match with on-form Cagliari.
A victory over Cagliari and Roma’s defeat at home to Torino would mathematically crown the Nerazzurri Campioni d’Italia.
Yet some Inter fans are hoping the title will be delayed for one more week so they can celebrate during the derby.
“Nobody can tell if and when it will happen. We just need to focus on winning to keep Roma behind us, we cannot risk thinking about celebrations,” insisted the Coach.
“It won’t be an easy game, because Cagliari need points to avoid relegation. This is what we must focus on.
“Robert Acquafresca has improved a great deal since he left our youth system. Along with having great technique, he is very intelligent,” added Mancio of the striker who is still co-owned by Inter.
Another promising youth team player has already broken into the first team with great success, although the tactician admits he may have to start reining Mario Balotelli back in.
“He is constantly being provoked and I worry about ending the game with 10 men, that’s why I substituted him against Torino.”
Hernan Crespo is favourite to partner Julio Ricardo Cruz upfront on Sunday, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains in Sweden for treatment and is very unlikely to make it back for the derby.
“We will evaluate day by day how things go. I hope he can return before the end of the season, but I don’t think he’ll be in Italy to watch tomorrow’s game.”
Finally, Mancini again responded to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who on Friday accused Inter of “disrespectful and illegal” comments saying they were interested in Alexander Hleb.
“I was surprised by his words, because I never spoke about Hleb. Whoever reported my interview in the newspapers did so badly, as I only ever spoke about the current campaign.”
Inter squad: 1 Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 24 Rivas, 26 Chivu; 5 Stankovic, 11 Jimenez, 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelè; 9 Cruz, 18 Crespo, 29 Suazo, 45 Balotelli.
