Dejan Stankovic has admitted he was disappointed not to be fit for Inter's trip to Serbia to face Partizan Belgrade on Thursday.
Dejan Stankovic has admitted he was disappointed not to be fit for Inter's trip to Serbia to face Partizan Belgrade on Thursday.
The Nerazzurri face Vladimir Vermezovic's side in the Europa League this evening, and the 34-year-old has conceded that he would have loved to return to his home city to play.
“Belgrade is a city I love very much,” he told Inter Channel. “I was born in a hospital near Partizan's stadium, so it's a shame I can't play tonight.
“Belgrade has been marked by war, and that has changed the way foreigners see it. But really it's fine. Italian friends I have taken there always return with a smile.
“I left at 19 to come to Italy, but I have great memories as a child, a boy and a player in Serbia. When teams like Inter come, the people get up for the game – the atmosphere is beautiful.
“I was tempted to go to the game, but I did not want to miss two days of physio. I'm doing everything possible to return to the field.
“I'll be in Milan to watch the game, but the game has so many feelings for me. Belgrade is my city, it reminds me of Red Star – my first football love.
“It's going to be a tough game for us tonight.”