Leonardo faces difficult opener to close gap on leaders Milan

LEONARDO faces a difficult introduction to life as Inter Milan coach when he takes charge of the team in Serie A for the first time against second-placed Napoli tonight.

The Brazilian replaced Rafael Benitez during the winter break after president Massimo Moratti admitted he lost patience with the Spaniard when he made a public demand for money to spend this month.

Leonardo inherits a side lying seventh in Serie A, 10 points behind tonight’s opponents and 16 adrift of leaders and city rivals AC Milan, albeit with two games in hand.

Leonardo admits the winter break has given him time to get to know his players since his appointment on Christmas Eve.

The former Milan coach said: “The last few days have been very useful, though the time has been short. It’s always different when you have to start mid-season, but this team already knows how to play.

“It’s been good to get to know the lads better and everyone has done everything they can to help me, also because they know there’s not much time: we’ve got a huge game tomorrow.

“The players have shown a fantastic attitude in training. We’re focused on Napoli because it’s a key fixture: we’re playing against the team that lies second in the league. And we’re ready for it.”