Javier Zanetti believes the Champions League is “the natural habitat of a club like Inter” as they prepare to make their return.
The Nerazzurri face Tottenham Hotspur tonight at a sold out San Siro, in what will be their first game in this competition since the 2011-12 season.
“The Champions League is an extraordinary competition,” Zanetti told the Matchday Program on Inter TV.
“You have all of San Siro behind you, you’re playing against the best clubs in Europe – it’s the natural habitat of a club like Inter.
Javier Zanetti believes the Champions League is “the natural habitat of a club like Inter” as they prepare to make their return.
The Nerazzurri face Tottenham Hotspur tonight at a sold out San Siro, in what will be their first game in this competition since the 2011-12 season.
“The Champions League is an extraordinary competition,” Zanetti told the Matchday Program on Inter TV.
“You have all of San Siro behind you, you’re playing against the best clubs in Europe – it’s the natural habitat of a club like Inter.
“I remember my first match in the Champions League, it was in Pisa against Skonto Riga. I came on in the first minute of the second half against Ze Elias.
“We won 4-0 and from that moment it was unconditional love.”
Zanetti won the competition in 2010, and the Inter legend was asked when he and his teammates knew they could do it.
“In Kiev, without a doubt. We were practically out in the Group Stage and then we did it at the last second. Right there something sparked in all of us.
“After that Chelsea gave us the knowledge we could compete with anyone. After the game against Barcelona at home we knew we could go all the way.
“As for the final against Bayern, every time I see it I have to watch it. If I’m flicking through the channels and I see it, I stop and watch it.
“It makes me emotional every time.”