APPIANO GENTILE – As Juventus v Inter draws closer, Dejan Stankovic talked about what it will take to come away from the Juventus Stadium with three points. He also spoke about the highs and lows of the current season, the team's character, the uncertain future and personal targets – injuries and his desire to make up for lost time. The Nerazzurri midfielder spoke about all this in an interview with Sky Sport 24's Andrea Paventi.
You can read the first part of the interview here on inter.it:
If you were to choose one word to explain the period the Nerazzurri are going through, what would it be?
"In recent weeks, in the last month or so, we've tried to explain the period we're going through using lots of words. It's hard for a team that has won so much to find itself in this situation, but it's not over. There's still a month and a half to go, there are important games to be played, and we're not giving up. We've accepted the state of affairs and we'll worry about one game at time."
Have you texted Mirko Vucinic since he scored the goal that put Juventus through to the Coppa Italia final?"Mirko is playing superbly at the moment, in the face of all the critics who say he's perhaps not good enough to play for Juventus. But I think he deserves to be at a big team and he's proved that against Milan and in recent weeks. I send him my compliments."
Is Juventus v Inter the ideal game to get things going again?
"It would be great and important too because if put a little unbeaten run together of five or six games you notice the difference, especially this year which has been a little unusual in terms of the way the points and the games have gone. The teams are still quite close together. If you clock up five or six wins it immediately makes a difference."
Do you like the way Juventus play and their coach? Could they be an example to follow when it comes to thinking about the new Inter?
"The future is something I leave up to my president to sort out: him and the people who work for Inter. From the outside I can only say that watching Juventus play against AC Milan in the cup the other day reminded me of Inter six or seven years ago – that team that so wanted to win their first trophy. Which then came of course with Roberto Mancini and the Coppa Italia. That was the start of a new cycle. The Bianconeri seem very gritty, they all get back behind the ball. They defend 40 yards from the goal but all together. Yes, it might be old-school Italian style but they break forward at incredible pace, they are organised and they have lots of quality. Conte has given Juventus that same grit that he had as a player; at least that's what I see from the outside. He's made the dressing room realise how important the shirt they're wearing is."
On a personal level, can we say this is the toughest season you've ever had?
"Definitely. From every point of view: the games I've played and the way the season started. After two or three games I keep getting a niggle. Also, psychologically I really suffered when we missed out on on qualifying for Euro 2012. I've tried to stay fit, and I have had a few good games, but I'm still a long way off what I'm used to and what the Inter fans are used to."
What should Inter's target be in this last month and a half? Are you still thinking about third place?
"When you start thinking, you pile even more pressure on yourself and it makes you see how far away you are. First of all we have this extremely difficult obstacle to overcome in the shape of Juventus. Then there are another 30 points to play for. We're trying to improve, for ourselves, for the team, for our president, for our fans, for everyone. We must give everything we've got and do the best we can."
You have two years left on your contract. Do you still want to be at the heart of Inter's plans?
"I have two years left and I'll see with the club: if I'm still able to play at the level required for Inter, if I can help Inter, it will be an honour for me to remain part of the plans. If other people see things differently, I'll accept whatever. All I can say is thank you, a great big thank you to the president and the fans for giving me the chance to play for a great team at the right time and win so much. Just a big thank you."
Have you had that feeling or do you still feel there's a lot of faith in you?
"I can't tell you everything now... [smiling]. Let's end the season, there's not long to go now till 13 May, and there will be time to talk, to discuss things. We're all working for the good of this shirt."
What advice can you give this team for the new project?
"Regardless of my experience I'm sure our president has a thousand times more experience than me, as do the club's directors. They have done a magnificent job in recent years and we mustn't forget that. As I said, I really do believe that president Moratti will work wonders in the transfer market and I think he already has something in mind for the future."
If you met a fan and you had to make him promise, would you be able to say, "now you'll see the real Inter"?"I think we've seen the true potential of this team on very few occasions this year, so why go and lie? Unfortunately this is the way things stand at the moment. We've all come to accept it because there were 70,000 Inter fans at the Meazza against Marseille – it gave you goose bumps. If I'd been able to give the fans a mark that night it would have been 12 out of 10. After we conceded that goal I was more sorry for them than for myself, because that was when you saw how much love they have for this shirt."
What sort of Inter will we see on Sunday evening in Turin?
"The team must be very strong physically, they will have to run at least as much as Juventus and they must try to win without any fear."
