MORATTI: “THIS NEW INTER ENTHUSES ME AND WILL WIN!”
“I do not forget certain champions in the treble season but I have to put the interest of the club first.”
“Stramaccioni is a young-adult: I am very confident.”
“We will restart again without losing sight of our goals: retaking Italy and Europe.”
MY NEW INTER
Moratti: “The players of the treble? I will not forget them but we focus on the youngsters to get back to the winning ways in Italy and Europe.”
Milan – “How excited are you from one to ten?” Pause. Smile. Talke. “An absolute ten. We are building a team that will have credibility, durability and strength. And one that will bring us back to the winning ways. I have confidence, much confidence. We have opened a new project and will base it around young players and Stramaccioni is its symbol. He is our young adult…” After having returned from a business trip, Massimo Moratti opens the doors to The New Inter: today is already… a new year starting with new shirts presentation, a couple of signings from the transfer market, many changes and those players are with great desires to return top after a year as pure spectators. “We are Inter: we want to win again.” He seems crazy in love with his creation. He is indeed.
President, let’s start this way. Are we at year zero?
“Let’s say that everything is a restart with clear ideas that will put us in a position to do well. Well, yes, it is a year zero. A new start that has brought a lot of enthusiasm with clear and precised ideas. For this reason, I am convinced that this new start will be the right one. I am confident because it is true that this new step has an amount of risks but we should not be afraid and we should feel the opposite: excitement and to me that is what’s happening.”
Stramaccioni is the symbol of this New Age Inter.
“Andrea Stramaccioni is a talented coach with a strong work ethic, with passion and competence. A credible and reliable coach as well as person. For all these things, he has always been the right person for this new beginning.”
What can be expected in this new beginning?
“Many new youngsters surely starting from the much success that we have gotten over the past year with Primavera. It will take time but I have a lot of curiosity. We need to have patience because it will not be simple and it will not also be immediate. I know that there is talent here: talent to be discovered.”
Will this be enough to get back to winning?
“I do want to be presumptuous. It is important that we have embraced this idea. And the rest will follow. Surely that…”
… that at Inter there is no time?
“Exactly and we know it. But winning again is our goal that we have to pursuit. We will seek it this year like always.”
What would you want to say to the fans?
“They understand. They’re intelligent and very demanding. I will say that, as a fan first, I have curiosity to see this new Inter design. And enthusiasm will also be around the coaches and the team, this will not be lacking. That said, all our work must be done with great depth. I repeat again: I am at a ten in enthusiasm and there aren’t many other situations that can excite me more.”
Even with the Europa League instead of the Champions League?
(Laughs) “Let’s say that this is a bit like going from a big screen TV to a black and white one. It surely has a different effect. But…”
But it is still a competition where winning still is the goal.
“It is still an international Cup with teams at high level and we are Inter. It is a manifestation to play our hardest even if it is obviously inconvenient to play on Thursdays and in far away places. And yes we must start to win. It won’t be easy but that’s normal. This is an important goal and it will be like this forever.”
Many changes: from different European stage, in management and of course the players. Where do we start?
“I like Palacio. His history speaks for itself with many goals and it seems to me that it will count quite a bit…”
And Samir Handanovic?
“A very reliable goalkeeper, one that I think has the right credentials.”
Do you want Destro back at all costs?
“I would also like to have Leo Messi (smiles) but it depends if you can and how much he (Destro) costs…”
In the meantime, a piece of the Treble has gone away in Lucio and perhaps even Maicon and Julio Cesar. How upset are you with these important departures?
“The Treble was our peak and we often reference back to that great moment. These players have won everything: cups, super cups, Club World Cup, and many victories. For them, the affection remains from the fans and myself. They are in the history of Inter, strongly so. In a few years we’ll again look back at that Inter, one that won 15 trophies in seven seasons and of course, their names will remain etched in our minds as protagonists. Great protagonists.”
If all these exits become official, who will you miss the most?
“I will miss everyone but I know that I must build a team and put it in front of my feelings. Unfortunately, it will be like that. For them, however, they will have opportunities to restart elsewhere.”
Are you talking about Pazzini?
“No but the transfer market is like this and I will continue talking with our directors like Branca and Ausilio…”
This transfer market has a specific philosophy: cutting down the wages and reinvesting what saved for other players.
“It is a duty: the club, before anyone and anything else, must do well.”
What is going on with the new stadium?
“It is an important and concrete project. If everything goes right, and I want to underline if, I would say between three and five years all will be completed.”
How do you think the fans will react to this New Age of Inter?
“I think they will react well. The important thing is to give support to these players because I have confident in them and because those that are already here, those that are about to come and those young players, all of them have the right credentials.”
Will you be at Pinzolo for training camp?
“I will look for that opportunity but of course, my other commitments must allow me to. But I still do not know.”
If at this moment, you are standing in front of the team, what would you say?
“Usually I do not prepare speeches. I just look the players in the eyes and give them a hug and say according to what I feel at that particular time. But I would say that I want to win again. The plan is based around young players and so it may take longer but the goal is to win and it has always been in our sights.”
Scudetto?
“We’re in it to win it.”
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
