APPIANO GENTILE – Rodrigo Palacio was this week's guest on Prima Serata, the Inter Channel programme that lets fans send in questions for their heroes. And there sure were a lot of emails for the Argentine star to get through today. He began by declaring his intent to stay at Inter: "I signed a three-year contract, I'm very happy here and I like this club a lot. I found it easy to settle in right from the very start: there's a great group of down-to-earth lads and of course lots of other Argentines too. Which of the players do I get on with best apart from my fellow Argentines? I joke around with Juan Jesus a lot, we spend quite a bit of time together. And I play a lot of Playstation with Samir Handanovic and Vid Belec. I remember the first day I came here it was like a dream to me, I almost couldn't believe it."
Taking a step back into the past: how hard was it to leave Boca Juniors? "I spent five years there. They're a great team, and like Inter a great club too. It was hard to leave, yes, but it was the right time to move on and try European football. Who did I support as a kid? Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. But I didn't really keep it up once I started playing professionally."
On his relationship with Andrea Stramaccioni: "It's very good, we got on right from the beginning. My two goals against Juventus? The first one was more important because we won. We were at their place and it was an important moment for the team. My best goal this year? The one against Bologna in the cup. Was it better than the one against Catania? Yes. What makes a goal great? I like it when you score from a long pass. Scoring is the best moment for any striker."
What about the time he tried his hand at defending the goal? "Cristian Chivu said he would go in, but then the coach decided it should be me or Alvarez. I was very nervous though. I made a good save? Yeah, I did. I won't forget that one."
Palacio then took a series of quick-fire questions on various subjects:
What was your childhood dream? "To become a footballer."
Will Inter be big again next season? "We hope to get back to the top, that's what we're working towards."
Have you ever practised any other sports? "Yes, basketball. I love it and I've been to watch Olimpia in Milan."
What's your favourite music? "I like rock but I'm not a massive music fan. I do listen to it but not an awful lot. I've been to a few concerts to see Argentine and Uruguayan groups."
What's your favourite position? "I prefer playing as a second striker, not as centre forward. This year I had to play as the front man when Milito got injured."
What about your family [he's handed a photo of his dad]? "He used to play for a team that's in the Argentine Serie A now. He was a good player. He used to give me advice, but he does that less now that I'm older. My family has always been important to me, they've helped me a lot."
Would you consider joining AC Milan if they made you an offer?
"No."
