PINZOLO - He's already trained with his new team-mates and he's played in the first summer friendly. Today Matias Silvestre, the new signing from Palermo, was introduced to the press.
Managing director Marco Fassone, who unveiled the Argentine and then Samir Handanovic, explained that today is "a very important day, because Silvestre and Handanovic represent the spirit of Inter this season. The club have believed in them, they are classy, enthusiastic players, at the right age, and they really fit the mould of the players we want to bring to Inter."
After this introduction, it was Matias who spoke of how pleased he is to be at Inter, and his qualities as a player. "I'm happy, I think I've come here at the right stage of my career, I've got enough experience and I'm keen to do well. I will be responsible for replacing Lucio? It's a big responsibility but I'm ready for it. There'll be a lot of competition for places at centre-back, but I'm keen to earn my place in the side and I'll try and win everyone's confidence. What are my strengths? I'm good in the air, I time my tackles well, of course I'm a different player to my team-mates, but no two players are the same. In any case, my team-mates and I will give it our all."
In the first summer friendly Silvestre was used as a right-back. Here's what he had to say about that. "I've said from the outset that I'm here for Inter, I played right-back on the odd occasion for Catania too. Obviously I do prefer playing in the middle but I can also play right-back."
He's bought into the team ethic and wants to start winning trophies immediately: "We've got a good squad and we're working well, the aim is to start winning immediately, right from the first game. Why did I choose Inter over the other sides who were chasing me? There were of course other clubs who showed an interest, but I always wanted to come to Inter, a big club. Another key factor was the number of fellow Argentines here, it'll help me to settle. How do I like playing alongside Walter Samuel? I'm very comfortable next to him, but I also am with my other team-mates. We all know what a good player Samuel is, and the career he's had. He'll be a great help to me. Just like Zanetti. I spoke to him and he really impressed me, I knew him as an opponent, now it's a great honour to have him as a team-mate. He's up for it, just like the entire squad, and we're expecting a great year."
A look at the past - Catania and Palermo - and one eye on the future, even as far as his first Milan derby - something he was asked about in the press conference. "I had a great time at Catania and Palermo, I'd like to thank both clubs for what they gave and taught me. Now, I will give it everything here, so I can start the season at the top of my game. Is the Milan derby different to the ones I've already experienced? I played in a lot of derbies in Sicily, but my next one - the Milan derby - is the biggest in the Italian league. I'm not thinking about the derby yet but our first league game, and even the Europa League before that. I'll only start to think about the derby after that. Either way, Milan are a great team, I respect them, we all do. 'Ibra' is one of the best strikers in the world, we'll prepare well for the game."
Finally, he paid tribute to the reception Inter have had in Pinzolo and Val Rendena, and to the many fans there to cheer the Nerazzurri on: "We've received a warm welcome here in Trentino, it's great to train every day with so many people watching, their support gives you that little bit extra. We are working very well, we might have less time to prepare than usual, but we've already started working hard, doing ball-work and we'll give it our all."
