Robin Gosens was honest about Inter’s inconsistencies this season and noted his desire to face rivals Milan in the Champions League semi-finals.
The Nerazzurri will face Primeira Liga leaders Benfica in the quarter-final clash next month. In the same side of the bracket, Milan and Napoli will battle it out in an all-Italian affair, meaning there’s a strong possibility that Serie A will have a representative in the Champions League final this season.
Whilst Inter have done well in the Champions League, the team have looked far more inconsistent domestically, losing to teams like Spezia, Bologna and Empoli in recent months.
Speaking to La Repubblica, Gosens first reflected on Inter’s season so far and where they’ve gone wrong.
“We have the quality to win many trophies, but we lack consistency in results. We know it first, we talk about it, we get p*ssed off. There are more factors. Small things that together make the difference: attention, movement, approach.
“After big victories we fail to do the necessary mental reset. Probably, at an unconscious level, we are led to think: if I won against Barcelona, I can’t lose against Spezia. But that’s a big mistake. In Serie A there are no easy games.
“We have to learn to make a clean slate after every match. We have the most important month ahead of us, in April we play a season in nine games. We must try to win them all.”
He touched on his desire to play out a Derby della Madonnina in the Champions League semi-finals.
“I’d like the derby with Milan in the semi-final of the Champions League. I’ve been lucky enough to play three of them, it’s an incredible feeling, maybe unique in the world.
“It’s the maximum a player can experience. Pressure, cheering, tension. Think about all that in a Champions League semi-final.”
The 28-year-old German wing back was asked about his future. In January, he was heavily linked with a move to the Bundesliga.
“There is only Inter. I know that no one has ever given me anything in my career, but the move to the Pinetina I experienced it as a gift. They’re one of the greatest teams in the world, I want to prove I deserve it.
“Brehme called me when I signed. He was happy for me, he wished me to continue the winning history of the Germans in the Nerazzurri. I assured him that’s why I’m here. I’m honest, I know that for too long I wasn’t the player Inter thought they had bought.
“I also talked about it with Marotta and Ausilio. I underestimated how much injuries could affect my game, which is very physical. If you’re always a second behind the opponent, there’s little you can do.
“Now I’m fine, I can show who the real Robin is. I have to become a starter at Inter, the national team is a consequence.”
Finally, Gosens was asked about the fact that he seemingly had more muscle mass whilst at Atalanta.
“At Zingonia there is more attention to individual preparation and gym work, Inzaghi pays more attention to collective work and team compactness. But the players’ performances are similar.”