APPIANO GENTILE – Representing the present and future of Inter, Mateo Kovacic
spoke in an exclusive interview with Sky Sport Italia on his first few months
with the club and those still to come in a Nerazzurri shirt.
"I’m very happy. Inter are a great club and it’s a pleasure to play here.
This year we played badly, but next year will be our year. Having so many
injuries played a part in our missing out on Europe, but I hope next year will
be better, that new players will come and that we can build an even stronger
team," stated the Croatian midfielder to Matteo Barzaghi.
On whether he feels pressure to be the new symbol of Inter, Kovacic stated his
feelings clearly: "No, I don’t feel any pressure because I still don’t
feel like a symbol. Zanetti are Stankovic are symbols. Was I expecting to make
an impact like this in Italy? I knew I could play football well, but I hope to
do even better."
On his favourite role on the pitch: "The coach explained to me where I
play, but in my opinion my best role is in the centre of midfield." Andrea
Stramaccioni has always had words of praise for him, and the Croat spoke about
this and the possibility of beginning next season with the coach: "I thank
him for what he’s said. He’s young and a good coach, but these kinds of
decisions on the future aren’t up to me. Next year’s Inter will be better than
this year’s. We have no choice but to do better. Do I see only Inter in my
future? I’m not thinking now about my future. I’m happy here and hope to stay
as long as possible."
There’s also talk on the possibility of seeing Luka Modric at Inter: "He’s
a phenomenal player, but I think he’ll stay in Madrid. Could I play with him?
Yes, it’s great to play with him on the national team because he’s so talented.
It would be great if he came to Inter but, again, I believe he’ll stay in
Spain. Vrsaljko? He’s a good friend, and very young, but Inter make these kinds
of decisions."
Finally came a question on who his idols are, and whether he can be the new
Boban, Mateo smiled and said: "He’s a Rossoneri, I’m a Nerazzurri. I’m
Kovacic, I’m myself."
