Javier Zanetti discussed why it’s necessary to leave San Siro, what the future could look like for Milan Skriniar and how Simone Inzaghi is impressing at Inter.
The Nerazzurri booked their spot in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, finishing second in a group containing Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen. The team have also started to improve things domestically after a slow start to the season that saw them lose four of their opening eight games.
Speaking to Il Giorno, Zanetti first discussed the recent controversy surrounding the fan walkout during Inter’s clash with Sampdoria.
“I hope that what happened at San Siro, with the Curva Nord emptying, never happens again. This year we had so many sell-outs, a record in the history of the club. People must return to the stadium.
“I don’t think people want to run away now, the fan’s impulse is stronger than that. But the values of sport must be respected.
“I don’t want to divide the fans… I’m talking about everyone. I don’t like things like the other night. We’ll always work to fill the stadium.”
He commented on the club’s need to leave the existing Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“It’s sad to lose San Siro, there’s a romantic vision, but it’s time for great innovation. We must improve the structure to offer the fans a state-of-the-art stadium and an experience that goes beyond the match.”
The Inter vice-president discussed the Milan Skriniar situation and what could happen in his future.
“I often talk to the guys and Skriniar has a very important profile in terms of how he approaches the work culture. I was like that in the past, talk little, show a lot.
“I hope he stays with us for a long time. When I arrived in Milan for me Inter were the best, and I made my whole career here.
“Many of my teammates at the time decided to change team, with time they confessed to me that it was a big mistake to leave Inter.”
Zanetti looked ahead to the upcoming Derby d’Italia against Juventus.
“They are different eras, but the rivalry is always there and beyond the table I don’t see a favourite. This challenge comes at the right time, we can’t afford any missteps.”
He gave his thoughts on coach Simone Inzaghi.
“Inzaghi is an excellent coach. We’ve experienced some difficult moments, but Simone has taken the right path, showing he knows how to handle pressure. If things go wrong the problem lies with the whole of Inter, the guys have reacted as they should.”
Finally, Zanetti responded to the criticism that Inter needed former Juventus pair Antonio Conte and Beppe Marotta to start winning again.
“Inter are back to winning because they are Inter. Antonio has shown himself to be a great professional, Marotta is a director whose value we know well.
“I’ll add one thing, this year we were told to send Inzaghi off after the defeat against Roma, something to make you pull your hair out…
“You have to think calmly, we won first with Conte, then came other trophies with Inzaghi. Inter have been protagonists for four years.”
Legend forever