Inter will have their say in title race - Leonardo

Posted Saturday, April 16, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Leonardo believes that his side still have "a word to say" on the destination of the Serie A title, despite being five points behind league leaders AC Milan with six games to go.

"We're coming off the back of heavy defeats, but for me nothing's changed and we still have a word to say," said Leonardo, whose side visit Parma on Saturday.

Defending champions Inter lost 7-3 on aggregate to Schalke in the Champions League quarter-finals and were beaten 3-0 by Milan in the derby on April 2.

"We're relying on others slipping up," said Leonardo on the Italian title race. "If that happens, we have to take advantage, but it's difficult to give a percentage."

Inter appeared leggy in their 2-1 loss at Schalke in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday but Leonardo is confident his players know how to manage their fatigue.

"The team is experienced," said the Brazilian.

"It's been through difficult moments but has always reacted. We can't always have control or be hasty but we should seek to stay balanced.

"We have to hold on to the certainties that we had up until two weeks ago and play in a normal way, without worrying too much."

Formerly the coach of Milan, Leonardo took over in December after Rafael Benitez was sacked and made a stunning start by collecting 30 points in his first 12 league matches in charge.

Inter, who won an unprecedented treble last season, have since fallen off the pace, however, and their best chance of silverware appears to lie in the Italian Cup, in which they face Roma in the last four.

Their recent slump has prompted speculation about Leonardo's future in the dug-out but the Brazilian claimed: "I don't even think about it."