APPIANO GENTILE - Words from Diego Milito two days before the UEFA Champions
League match against Olympique Marseille, scheduled for Tuesday 13 March at the
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan.
inter.it offers the full version of the statements made by the Argentine
forward from this exclusive Sky Sport Italia interview conducted by Andrea
Paventi.
Milito, Inter's new season restarted entirely from that second half against
Catania. Or is it still too early to make these assessments?
"We hope that that second half represents a restart, which I also said after the game. In that game we showed courage and pride, which allowed us to feel alive. We were losing 2-0 after the first half and found the equaliser. As I said, the team showed great pride. Then came the victory against Chievo, which gives us more peace and more confidence."
Actually against Chievo we saw a different Inter. Was something really triggered in a negative period?
"Yes, it's a negative moment and we, as I said before, we very much want to try and reverse this situation. We talked among ourselves. We're trying to give our all and, fortunately, we played a great game in Verona and we won a tough challenge. I think this is important for our confidence in the future."
There has been a lot of talk about that speech by Julio Cesar between the first and second half of the match against Catania. Was it something that surprised you?
"No, it didn't surprise us. Julio can talk, just as anyone else can; we're a team, a group that's always united. At that moment he was sincere and he felt he had to speak up and say something to his team-mates. We all took it very well and right then he gave us a big hand. Then, fortunately, we drew. We're relaxed and hoping to overturn the result in this match against Marseille so we can get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League."
What was, in your opinion, the most important thing that Julio Cesar said at that moment?
"He was clear. He told us we had to return to the pitch and try to turn things around because we could not allow a defeat in our house. He said that we all had to give more from the start to the end. Then we took to the pitch and we were united until the end. We also had a bit of luck, and by bringing out a bit of courage we drew."
Is it a coincidence that you played a leading role in the run of wins around the Christmas break, and now you're scoring again with Inter recovering? Is there a bit of 'Milito dependence'?
"No, I honestly don't think so. We are a group and when we got seven wins in a row we achieved it together. I don't believe there's a Milito dependence."
You're very close to Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti. Can you tell us how much they've suffered in this period of the season? Did you say anything in particular to them?
"There's no need to say anything to them, as they're two very experienced players. They suffer from the situation like we all suffer. Actually they suffer in particular. Perhaps they suffered a bit more in this recent period, but they're experienced players with extraordinary careers that help them to overcome certain moments. Obviously they're not happy when things that aren't true are said, and those who know them know that they always put themselves on the line. They're the first to take to the pitch for training and they're important players for Inter who have given so much to this club."
Did you notice that in Verona when you scored the assist came from Zanetti and the first team-mate to celebrate with you was Cambiasso?
"Beyond all that, those two are my friends. Obviously I'm happy if I score. I looked for Pupi most of all because he had served me an excellent cross."
What significance did Claudio Ranieri's tears have for the team?
"A lot. Honestly I found out about it later because on the pitch I didn't notice. It's part of the moment; a release for a man who is trying to turn the situation around that we're all suffering from, and he did it together with us. It seems to me that it can be something normal, although frankly it surprised me a bit. But we are all with him. We're all in the same boat and we'll try to do our all to get out of this situation."
Have the players also felt weighed down by the burden recently?
"It's always difficult when you're unable to win games: the pressure and the anxiety to win at all costs start to build up. Fortunately we got the win last Friday and it was needed. It has brought us a lot of calm and it also gives us an injection of confidence for the game against Marseille."
Was there a time when you thought you perhaps needed something to shake you up? Or do you have to shake yourselves up in situations like these?
"No, the only way to shake things up is to train hard every day and improve constantly. The coach said as much when we spoke about it and, let's be honest, we've also had our fair share of bad luck. That's just what we did; we knew we'd start winning again. It was a very good win against Chievo and we played well too. We're happy and we hope to achieve many more important victories."
Is it still realistic to talk about third place in the league?
"Honestly, at the moment
we must think about one game at a time. We know that third place
is a long way away, although we do really want it and it would be
hugely important for us. Obviously it's also an important target for
the club, but as I said we must take each game as it comes. We have a
massively important match against Marseille coming up and we're hoping to turn
the tie around and go through. Then we'll concentrate on winning our
games every Sunday. Further down the line we'll see where we might end
up."
Is there a sort of pact within the dressing room?
Like, we're even more united now than before...
"Actually we've always been united. We've never disbanded, not even during the times of difficulty. We've always tried to maintain a group mentality. This is a great group and we've shown it so many times, including the present moment. There's no pact, we simply always try to give 100%: sometimes you manage it and sometimes you don't. But the team is always behind the coach and we always give everything to win games."
You've had a very special relationship with president Massimo Moratti: what's he been like recently?
"Obviously a bit down - like all of us - because of the period. He is a huge fan. We've all spoken together and he has always shown complete faith in us. We also try to give our all for him, because he deserves it. He's a fantastic president and we want to give him lots more reasons to be happy."
Do you still believe that, if you beat Olympique Marseille, you can have a great season in the Champions League?
"We're sure we can. Of course the Champions League is a different sort of competition. If we get through this round we'll be among the top eight teams in Europe. Tuesday's match is massive and we're desperate to do well. And we'd then have everything to play for – this team has already shown it's capable of going all the way."
If you could say so now, why will Inter beat Olympique Marseille?
"We're convinced we can
overturn the result. We played very well in the first leg and didn't
deserve to lose. We're sure that we can win with the help of our
fans."
