MILAN, 5 JULY 2012 – The new FC Internazionale 2012/13 collection designed by Nike was launched at Nike Stadium Milano today.
Presenting the new apparel for what will be the 15th year of partnership between Inter and Nike were FC Internazionale managing director Marco Fassone and sport marketing director of Nike Italy Cristiano Carugati.
The big novelty this year is the new Away kit, which is completely red: shirt, shorts and socks. Red also featured on the commemorative shirt for the club's centenary celebrations in 2007/08. Back then it was a red cross on a white background symbolising the flag of Milan.
For the 2012/13 season the away strip will be all red. All passion. All grit and determination. Just like the character always shown by the team.
"Nike and Inter have established an excellent partnership which is now in its 15th year, based on success and satisfaction," declared Nike Italy's sport marketing director Cristiano Caraguti. "For the 2012/13 season we wanted to create a new-look home shirt without losing the traditional features. The black and blue stripes are wider, giving it a sober, elegant look. We've gone for something completely different with the Away kit and made it totally red. Red stands for passion, determination, love for the shirt - these characteristics have always distinguished Inter and their fans."
FC Internazionale managing director Marco Fassone took the floor: "Tradition mixed with innovation to strengthen an ever-successful union. That's how Nike see the Inter of the future and what was kept in mind while designing the new Home and Away strips. Innovation while retaining the same quality and desire for perfection – traits our two companies have always sought. So here we are, together again, for the launch of the official 2012/13 shirts. This is where we start again, with our fans - they'll be with us in the next stage of this adventure. Looking to dazzle, to dream, to win. For Inter."
The new Home jersey features the traditional blue and black stripes. The black stripes are wider, giving the shirt a more dominant look. The classic black crew neck collar gives a simple, elegant look whilst the underside of the black cuff reveals a touch of blue. The inner back neck graphic on the shirt uses 'Il Biscione', the snake symbol of Milan, with the outer back neck graphic simply reading 'Inter'. The all-black shorts have 'Inter' on the back waistband and a snakeskin pattern representing Il Biscione along the side seam. The socks are all black with a white 'Inter' graphic. They also offer a new and innovative design featuring an updated cotton footbed offering support and maximum comfort.
The new Away kit gives the team a bold new look to make an impact on the opposition: a uniform of bright red shirt, shorts and socks. The crew neck is red and ribbed, whilst the inner back neck graphic of the shirt is inspired by 'Il Biscione', the snake symbol that the city of Milan and Inter share. The outer back neck graphic simply reads 'Inter'. The cuffs on the shirt sleeves are tipped with iconic black and blue – stamping the club's heritage on the new strip. The shorts are totally red with 'Inter' on the back of the waistband and a snakeskin pattern representing 'Il Biscione' along the side seam. The red socks have a black and blue top and a white 'Inter' detail.
The new home and away kits are made from Nike's ground-breaking recycled polyester, making it Nike's most environmentally friendly kit ever produced. Each kit (shirt and shorts) is made using up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles. This innovative manufacturing process reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to manufacturing traditional polyester. Since 2010 Nike has used an estimated 1115 million recycled plastic bottles to create its high performance kits.
The kits are made out of 23% lighter fabric with 20% stronger knit structure than Nike's previous kits and feature Nike Dri-FIT technology to wick moisture away from athletes to help keep them cool and dry on the pitch.
Kits have bonded re-enforced t-bar junctions that support critical seams on the shirt and shorts and inner welded seams with a flat finish construction to improve comfort and performance. Temperature regulation is helped by ventilation zones, consisting of a series of tiny laser-cut holes from the under arms to the waistband, allowing air to circulate to keep players comfortable.
The new kit and complete collection will be available from Friday 6 July in official Inter stores: Solo Inter, San Siro Store, store.inter.it. For further information and images, visit www.nikeinc.com.
