Inter vice president Javier Zanetti was positive following the draw against Porto in the Champions League Round of 16.
The Nerazzurri finished second in Group C, ahead of Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen but behind winners Bayern Munich. Simone Inzaghi’s side secured positive results against Barcelona, key for helping them progress to the knock-out stages, and they’ll be hoping to show that resilience in their Round of 16 clash.
Speaking to Sport Mediaset at UEFA’s headquarters, Zanetti first reacted to Inter’s draw against Porto in the Champions League Round of 16.
“They will be difficult matches, I know Porto well and my former team-mate Conceiçao is doing a great job.
“It will depend a lot on the state of form in February, it’s always a Champions League match and we must have the utmost respect for our opponents.”
The Nerazzurri vice president commented on the difference in performances between the Champions League and Serie A.
“We have to work and improve. The group has given important answers and now we have to do well until the break in the league. Then, when we resume after the World Cup, it will be a different matter.
“We have to find balance and consistency. We are sorry for the defeat yesterday, in the first half we could have gone ahead but this is football and at the first opportunity they scored.
“We look forward to this match with confidence. We must work in the best possible way to arrive well in February.”
Finally, Zanetti made a brief comment regarding the status of Milan Skriniar’s contract renewal.
“We’re talking and there’re all the conditions to move forward together.”
Inter’s joy at their Champions League knock-out qualification was snuffed out in their Derby d’Italia clash with Juventus yesterday. Simone Inzaghi’s side fell 2-0 to the Bianconeri following goals from Adrien Rabiot and Nicolo Fagioli.
Reasonable draw for Inter. Actually all the Italian teams in Champs League have a reasonable draw and may advance if they get their acts together in February and March, 2023.