Roberto Mancini hails "important" victory over Genoa

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has paid tribute to his players following their 3-1 victory over Genoa this afternoon.

Rodrigo Palacio and Mauro Icardi had given the Nerazzurri a two-goal lead at the break and, although Armando Izzo pulled a goal back for the visitors, a late strike from Nemanja Vidic sealed the three points.

"I am satisfied with the result and the first half performance, but not the second," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We lost intensity and that was to a degree expected with three forwards behind Icardi.

"We kept losing possession and that's a problem when all three are short on match fitness. Lukas Podolski has always played that role, while Hernanes is learning and Palacio fits right in. [Fredy] Guarin has the physique to play there. If he learns and improves, then he can do it."

Inter are now unbeaten in their last four league games and are ninth in the Serie A table.