MILAN - (ANSA) "Every game is like a final, it should be played with that spirit and if you do that the results will come." Speaking in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of Pirelli's presentation ahead of their second Formula 1 season, Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli president, Inter shareholder and renowned Nerazzurri fan, wouldn't say the word "Scudetto", but he did praise the team for getting back to their previous level of competitiveness: "It's been a magnificent turnaround. Ranieri has done a great job, instilling the right mentality in the players and they have got it together again, to the joy of all the fans." Did you expect it? "For those of us who lived the first weeks of the season as I did, this comeback was unexpected. But it has come, deep down we always believed it was possible, and now we must try to finish in the Champions League places."
Tronchetti Provera then spoke about the transfer market and Carlitos Tevez, who he is sure will not become a Nerazzurri player: "Are we still interested in Tevez? Not any more, things have taken a different course. Inter have got their world-class players back and don't need him or anyone else. He's still a top player though." Is Thiago Motta staying or leaving? "That's a question without an answer at the moment. It's a decision that the team and the player have to take together and it's not my place to go into it. He's another champion and he's given Inter a lot." And on Lucas: "Investing big in youngsters is usually the right thing to do."
What about Mourinho coming back to Milan? "Mourinho brings back great memories and emotions for all Interisti, so why not in the future? We're happy with things at the moment but the evolution of the team takes priority." So the Pirelli president doesn't exclude the possibility of a return in a few years' time for José Mourinho, who is constantly under fire in Madrid. It was put to Tronchetti Provera that while Ranieri is doing well, Guardiola's name also continues to be linked with Inter: "We're doing well with Ranieri, that's not something that's up for discussion."
Finally, he was asked about tonight's Coppa Italia match against Napoli: "We have to keep doing what we've been doing for the last month and a half."
