Materazzi bemoans Inter woes

Internazionale defender Marco Materazzi admits the Serie A leaders are going through a difficult time.

The Nerazzurri still lead the standings by six points, but suffered their first league defeat of the season on Sunday after going down to a 1-0 defeat at Napoli.

The result allowed second-placed Roma, who held Inter to a 1-1 draw in midweek, back into the title race with 12 games remaining.

“We have had so many injury woes this season, including myself,” said Materazzi.

“We are trying to recover all our players and I think if we are able to get them back it will be a big plus for the team.”

Sunday’s result at the San Paolo Stadium was Inter’s first loss on the road since May 2006.

Materazzi believes the setback will only make his team stronger.

“In moments of difficulty you must show what you are made of,” he said. “I think we will prove it in our next crucial games.”

Inter take on Reggina next weekend before hosting Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash. The Nerazzurri need to turn around a 2-0 deficit from the first leg at Anfield if they are to progress.

“We must focus on each game at a time,” added Materazzi. “In our heads there’s the Champions League return leg; we are looking forward to bouncing back after our defeat in the opening leg.”

Materazzi will not play against Liverpool after being sent off at Anfield, but Inter will be desperate to welcome back attacking duo Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from injury.

Ibrahimovic is fighting against the clock to recover from a knee injury, while Cruz is struggling with a muscular problem.

“My hope is to recover Cruz and Ibrahimovic,” admitted Inter coach Roberto Mancini.

“We are not going through a good time and this is caused by the fact that we have lost so many players through injury.”

Defender Cristian Chivu was the latest victim after suffering a shoulder injury against Napoli. Inter are still without Ivan Cordoba and Maxwell, the former out with a knee injury and the latter a sprained ankle.

“We have had so many problems in defence lately, but we have the time to recover some players for our next games,” added Mancini.

Despite Sunday’s setback, Mancini believes his team have the upper hand in Serie A and can handle the pressure.

“We still have a six-point advantage and that gap is there to help us when you are not at your best,” he said.

“This defeat cannot demoralise us; we will try in the coming days to recover some players.

“Now we have to work hard and remain calm. We have to look forward, everything depends on us.”