MILAN - Massimo Moratti reflected on last night's dramatic Champions League victory over Dynamo Kiev in a brief interview with journalists on his arrival at the Saras offices in Milan this morning.
This is what he had to say:
President, were you expecting a victory like this?
"The victory came well, in an enthusiastic way after a match played so well and a spectacular second half."
Was it a victory of José Mourinho or the team?
"It was a group victory. It belongs both to Mourinho, who did very well, and to the team who showed character and gave a very good reply."
Did you fear for the worst at any point last night? Their goal seemed jinxed...
"Yes. After Barcelona's draw away to Rubin Kazan, even a worse result could have been possible. We were really unlucky and at a certain point in the game it seemed like it was impossible to score. I have seen great comebacks from everyone recently. It has happened to us too and it went very well."
This victory in the Champions League came on a very important day. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of your father Angelo.
"Yes. It was a nice victory and it was a pleasure for us from this point of view as well. It was a present from my team; I have to thank them because it was wonderful. It filled our family with joy and, above all, it filled the fans with joy too."
How were the last three minutes of the match for you?
"I was enthusiastic. We did everything and we didn't deserve to lose. We played a spectacular second half. Football rewards you in the end."
Were you expecting Rubin Kazan to get four points from their two games against Barcelona?
"I had already said that teams like Rubin could be surprise teams, and that when the group draw was made both Barcelona and Inter should have feared the Russians and Ukrainians because they are two quality teams - champions of Russia and Ukraine. They aren't small clubs. Tactically, Rubin played well very yesterday and it will be difficult in Milan too."
Do you need to get a result against Barcelona or can you go into it in a calmer frame of mind, with another match against Rubin to play?
"We can get a good result there too. We will try to do well in both matches, but we know what can happen in football and we saw this last night."
