Spalletti Aims Dig At Rebel Icardi

Spalletti Aims Dig At Rebel Icardi

By Joshua Walters

Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti has downplayed the effect of Mauro Icardi's absence as he dashes out harsh words for the player and those who think that his absence is the reason for the team's poor form.

Spalletti insists that Icardi has humiliated Inter Milan by taking the club to ransom, and would be back in the squad if only he changed.

Icardi was ostracised from the team in February following the stripping off of his captaincy armband though Spalletti failed to disclose the reason for taking that option.

Icardi had earlier on been dragging his feet in signing contract extension papers presented to him by the club, and Spalletti perhaps disclosed to the world his reasons for not using the player after he led the side to a 1-0 home loss to SS Lazio on Sunday. 

"I know what my job is," Spalletti told a reporter, who sought to link Inter Milan's recent poor run to the absence of Icardi. "As things stand today, for the way he behaved, he has to stay out and the others have to play. It is clear for everyone to see what happened and how events unfolded."

"This mediation is humiliating for Inter fans and for those who love Inter; the need to mediate with someone just to get him to pull on the shirt that they love. It's humiliating."

"Negotiating with someone just to get him to pull on the Inter shirt. What, do I need to email 20 lawyers and ask them if I can call someone up?

Spalletti, though livid, has refused to shut the door completely on the Argentine forward, who he said was not indispensable and influential for his side.

The 60-year-old Italian trainer maintains Icardi is not in the outstanding players in the sports, and so must respect and acknowledge his role as manager of the club.

"Icardi needs a game out. If he continues to behave the way he has done recently, then he can start to come back in.

"People say we lost games without Icardi. Inter didn't get into the Champions League for years with Icardi. Inter lost worse games than this with Icardi.

“Lionel Messi makes the difference, not Icardi, with all due respect. Professionalism and self-respect are everything. Discipline is everything."