Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti admits they weren't at their best for victory over SPAL.

Matteo Politano and Roberto Gagliardini struck the goals for Inter.

Spalletti said, “There were still 11 Inter players and we should've done better. We allowed the tension to strangle us, as it sometimes does, and we lose sight of our qualities, become too timid and insecure.

“We have to use our brains and realise San Siro is an intimidating atmosphere, but we are Inter and we have to win this game. It all becomes simpler than you imagine it would be if you look at it that way. It's not fear, it's timidity.

“We have this fire within us, but every now and then turn it down to a tiny flicker. Once the goal went in, everyone seemed like a different player, totally transformed and brimming with confidence.

“Every now and then we get dragged into the analysis that surrounds us and the players struggle to prove themselves. I tell you in training that Dalbert is going to be an extraordinary player, but in the first half today he fell over twice and didn't make a single decision. After the break, he did much better and smashed SPAL down that left flank."