Mancini: Podolski not offering Inter enough

Posted Monday, March 02, 2015 by Goal.com

The Germany international has yet to score a single Serie A goal since joining the Nerazzurri on loan from Arsenal during the winter transfer window

Roberto Mancini has admitted that struggling striker Lukas Podolski is simply not offering Inter enough quality or incision up front.

Podolski joined the Nerazzurri on loan from Arsenal during the winter transfer window but the Germany international has yet to net a Serie A goal in eight appearances for the Milanese outfit.

The forward lasted just 66 minutes before being hauled off by Mancini in Sunday's 1-0 loss at home to Fiorentina and replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri, who immediately injected more dynamism into the Inter attack.

Mancini thus confessed afterwards that Podolski must improve - and fast - if he is to have any chance of extending his stay at San Siro beyond the end of the season.

"Shaqiri did well but had played [on] Thursday, so it was right to give him rest," the Inter boss told the club's official website.

"Podolski must give more, so it is not enough and he is the first to know that."

As for Inter's defeat, which leaves them eighth in the Serie A standings, Mancini felt his side had paid the price for a poor first-half display - even though the game was decided by Mohamed Salah's strike 10 minutes after the interval.

"We were generous, we know they are a good team and it was in my opinion a very balanced game," the former Manchester City boss added.

"Had we found the equaliser immediately, maybe we could try to bring home a victory.

"The problem was that at first we were hesitant. Fiorentina are a team that dribbles well. In the first half we had to be bolder, more determined."