APPIANO GENTILE – Asked to pick a number between one and ten, Alvaro Pereira went for six. It's not his new shirt number but the mark out of ten that he gives himself for his performances in the first half of the season. "I'm my own biggest critic," he admits. "I've only shown a 6 out of 10 in terms of what I can do. I can do much better," the Uruguayan said on Prima Serata, broadcast on Inter Channel this evening at 21:00.
Pereira spoke about himself both as a player and a person. "I'm really enjoying it in Italy. I've settled in well and my team-mates have helped a lot - all of them. But above all Pupi, Gargano – who I room with for away games – Guarin and Samuel. And I like Como, where I live. I like going around with my wife and kid, I don't mind stopping to sign autographs. The fans here are magnificent, they always get behind the team both when we win and when unfortunately we don't."
Who is your role model? "Roberto Carlos has always been a player I've liked watching. I'm the next Maicon? I don't like to make comparisons. All I can say is I'm glad I had the chance to train with him."
Pereira was asked if he does any other sports: "I'm keen on athletics, running the marathon."
The fans sent in all sorts of questions for the Nerazzurri wideman, including one about Marco Benassi: "He gives everything in training and he's always got a smile on his face."
Pereira was also asked about racism. What would he do if he found himself in a similar situation to what happened to AC Milan midfielder Boateng? "I don't know, it's hard to say. I've never had anything like that happen to me. You hear lots of things at the stadium, I just try to ignore them."
What's the toughest game he has played in so far since joining Inter? "The one against Chievo, a really difficult ground to play at."
Finally, Pereira showed what a consummate professional he is with this reply: "I always give everything I have for the shirt when I'm on the pitch. Every touch I have on the ball is the most important." Against Roma he'll have the chance to prove it.
