PAVIA - "Inter have to restart to once again play a leading role and be
back among the top. And far as I know, president Moratti will do everything he
can to make it happen. There are many youngsters, many players, who have shown
they can lend a hand. We need to use them as the starting point." Before
returning home, Javier Zanetti spoke about the team’s future at a press
conference organised at the Policlinico San Matteo.
Regarding the possibility of flanking Andrea Stramaccioni on the bench during
the period in which the captain will be grounded: "No, we haven’t spoken
about that. Only about my recovery. At any rate, I’ll be close to my team. Will
we continue with Stramaccioni? I’m not the one to decide. I believe the coach
will tackle this final stretch of the season in the best way possible with the
players he has available, which unfortunately are few. And I think president
Moratti, if he has spoken with him, has calmly discussed many times what the
future will be. Did I distance myself from Stramaccioni when I said the
decision is up to the president? I have a lot of respect for the coach, and
most of all I have a lot of respect for my club. These are issues that have
nothing to do with me at this moment. I can say that we’ve supported the coach
from the day he arrived at the first team, and we’ll always support him."
Leonardo also stopped by to visit Javier Zanetti: "It made me very happy
to see Leo after such a long time. We’re talking about a great man and a great
person who is very intelligent. I think he’d do well in any team. But most of
all Leo and I are great friends; he was my coach and the friendship has
remained. We had a long chat, and as I said before we’re talking about a very
intelligent man with a big heart. I was really happy to see him again. Will I
see him again soon? I hope so."
Regarding the team’s objectives: "We hope to qualify for the Europa
League. Should it not happen then I hope to be part of a highly competitive
team that will go back and battle, because winning is never easy."
On rehabilitation: "Now I have to go three weeks without putting weight on
my foot, then three more with a brace, then start walking slowly and from there
begin with the rehabilitation work. I’ll be here a long time, and then I’ll go
to Argentina. And when the team is ready for pre-season training I’ll be there
too to get down to work. When will I be back in Pinetina? Maybe I’ll stop by
now or Saturday. However, it will be soon because I want to see my team-mates
again."
Javier continued: "I was very struck by the warmth of the fans. Especially
since many of them weren’t Nerazzurri supporters. During my career I’ve always
tried to be respectful to everyone, and now this show of support bears witness
to that. I want to come back because I feel I have the strength. I believe
there’s always something positive you can take from something negative. I’ve
always tried to restart immediately, and that will be the case now too.
Messages from the Vatican? Yes, I’ve received some."
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis sent a message to Zanetti via twitter,
assuring him that he’d be in good hands with Dr. Benazzo in Pavia: "I saw
his message and as I already said, I thank everyone at the Policlinico in
Pavia, because they treated me very well."
On his injured team-mates: "Each one has his problems, but we’re all
giving 100% to try and return as soon as possible."
Arrigo Sacchi stated that, with his characteristics, Javier Zanetti would be
able to play another two years: "He’s someone with a lot of experience,
and so I hope that’s the case."
Antonio Cassano also stopped by the clinic: "I knew who it was as soon as
he got to the hallway. He began yelling, but I was really happy to see him
[laughing]." Regarding Zanetti’s children: "They came to see me
yesterday and turned the place upside-down. I’ll spend more time with them over
this period and they’ll give me the strength to return as soon as
possible."
