Monday, 18 April 2011 20:00:30
Dejan, you've been through some good and some bad times with Inter. This is one of those moments when the ball doesn't seem to be running for you, but some of it is just down to chance, wouldn't you say?
"Yes, there is an element of bad luck in this negative period we've been through in the last two weeks. We can't deny that it's a difficult moment but we have plenty of experience; this group of players has seen a lot, wonderful moments and very difficult moments, and sooner or later you come through them. The main thing is that we stick together and remember how good this group is and what we have achieved. We can't hide anything but if we're committed we can get out of the rut and achieve the goals we still have. As long as it's mathematically possible, anything can happen, though I've always been realistic in life. It's very difficult for us to stay in the hunt for the Scudetto but we mustn't lose out on Champions League qualification, which is crucial for this club, for our fans and for us players. We also have two games against Roma and a possible cup final. A team like us that is so used to winning has to bring a trophy home; raising a cup is important to us."
The Coppa Italia tie between Roma and Inter has been described as "the semi-final of the frustrated", but perhaps lots of people have forgotten that the Nerazzurri have already won two competitions this season...
"There were many people who couldn't wait to let out everything they had been storing up for the last five years. Inter have won everything there is to win at club level in the last five years so it's normal that we should be criticised now, just as we have to accept it, get our heads down and push on. I must say that I'm very proud. Even in the difficult times I've always said I am proud to be wearing this shirt and to have these fans that back us and tolerate us, because what they are doing is extraordinary. I'm really very proud to have a set of fans like that."
How much desire and strength is left in this team to achieve the targets that remain?
It's not easy because we put so much into closing the gap from January up until two weeks ago. It was a minor miracle and sooner or later there's a price to pay for that. It's a shame it happened right at the key stage of the season but that's football: in situations like this get tired physically and mentally. You have to work hard in your head, trying to remember the good times, great games, moments of skill and move on without letting it all get to you. It is hard but we can do it. We have to find that energy from somewhere; I'm not sure from where but, as Zanetti said, we have to put some more petrol in the tank."
Is Leonardo helping you in that?
"If you start playing again immediately, you don't have time to think about what happened. Leonardo is trying to keep us calm and he knows what it's about because he was a player too. As he told us on the pitch in Parma, we have to play without panicking because sooner or later the moment will pass. Hopefully starting from tomorrow."
Credit: Internazionale Milano (www.inter.it)
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