Nemanja Vidic defiant as EPL veterans struggle in Italy

Rome: Under-fire Inter defender Nemanja Vidic claimed he is still adapting to life in Serie A as the jury remains out on former English Premier League stars who have failed to spark in Italy`s top flight.

"I always try to train and adapt as much as I can, but it`s not for me to say who should evaluate if the system is affecting or not my performances," Vidic told reporters on the eve of Inter`s Europa League clash with Saint Etienne.

"From my point of view, I have to keep trying to do better and I`ll keep on working hard."

While former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was pilloried for his performance in Roma`s 7-1 drubbing by Bayern Munich on Tuesday, former Manchester United captain Vidic remains under the spotlight at struggling Inter.

He has been guilty of several howlers during a poor start to the season for the Nerazzurri, whose coach Walter Mazzarri is reportedly fighting to keep his job.

Vidic was sent off in the dying seconds of his league debut, a scoreless draw away to Torino, and was left out as Inter won their opening home game of the season 7-0 against Sassuolo.

On Sunday a poor header from the Serbian fell into the path of Napoli forward Jose Callejon, who pounced to score the first of two goals from that particular mistake before Inter fought back to level 2-2 at the San Siro.

Vidic claims he will improve when Inter improve, and called for patience.

"People are free to comment but I always say that football is not a sprint, it`s a marathon. There`s a long way to go and people can judge at the end," he said.

"I feel good here, I`ve settled in well and I`m training well. When Inter`s performances improve I think my own performances will improve too. I hope to be a part of it all."

Cole, meanwhile, was one of several Roma players slated by Italian sport press on Wednesay after a stunning defeat at the Olympic Stadium which revived memories of Roma`s 7-1 defeat to Manchester United seven years ago.

He was taken off at half-time by coach Rudi Garcia and replaced by Jose Holebas having been steamrollered by Arjen Robben, who scored twice in the opening half hour as the Germans raced to a stunning 5-0 half-time lead.

Cole was given a lowly `4` rating in Corriere dello Sport daily, which said he would struggle to play in Italy`s second division.

"His obvious limitations had been hidden so far by he fact he is facing average players in the league every week. This Cole would struggle to find a starting place in a Serie B team," wrote journalist Rinaldo Boccardelli.

"Sending him on to try and stop Robben was premeditated suicide."