Inter Coach Luciano Spalletti insists he didn’t reject Rafinha – “there were deadlines and prices we couldn’t meet at that time”.
The Barcelona midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at San Siro, but the Nerazzurri didn’t take up their option to make the deal permanent.
Inter Coach Luciano Spalletti insists he didn’t reject Rafinha – “there were deadlines and prices we couldn’t meet at that time”.
The Barcelona midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at San Siro, but the Nerazzurri didn’t take up their option to make the deal permanent.
While that was explained by the requirement to meet Financial Fair Play parameters, the player himself feels the Coach didn’t want him.
“I don’t know what to say, because I’ve already said it all,” Spalletti shrugged in his Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Barça game.
“He was one of the important players who allowed us to play these games, then there were deadlines and prices we couldn’t meet at that time.
“Barcelona wanted the money and it couldn’t be done, we could also have kept [Joao] Cancelo but we couldn’t do it, there were constraints to be respected, and the club did well to respect them.
“After that you can have regrets or not, it’s all the same. I’ve been doing this job for 25 years, and I have to make choices.
“Rafinha is a great player and a spectacular person, I’ll willingly meet him and I’d be very willing to Coach him again. But he plays for Barcelona now, and he’ll try to score again.”
In his last Press conference, Spalletti said that if his side prepared for matches like Barcelona they’d lose 18-0 – was that a criticism?
“Why would it be a criticism? They came out at the last minute, which means they’re conditioned so that they don’t need two days to prepare for a match.
“They’re already at the level that we spend days reaching, I never criticise anyone and if I did it certainly wouldn’t be Barcelona!
“I think that’s the way to go, it’s something I’d like to follow, because it would mean we could work faster toward achieving our objectives.
“Barcelona are a reference point for all Coaches, and not just in football – in every sport.”
Juventus Coach Max Allegri has said Barça are favourites for the Champions League, and Inter for the Scudetto…
“You always try to put as much attention on others as possible,” Spalletti smiled.
“It’s a little game we play in this profession. They’re stronger than everyone and will probably win the league, unless another team does incredible things.
“In the Champions League it’s possible Barça could win, even if they meet each other. Barça are equipped to finish first.
“Juve have the potential, but Barça are very strong.”