PINZOLO - Hugo Campagnaro arrived at the Paladolomiti for his presentation as an Inter player and began by proudly displaying his No.14 Nerazzurri shirt. Alongside him at the press conference was new team-mate Marco Andreolli and sporting director Piero Ausilio.
These were Campagnaro's first words: "I've joined a massive team after four fantastic years at Napoli. Now I have a big chance at a club with a great tradition and I'm going to give everything I've got for this shirt. We're focused on working as hard and as well as possible here at the training camp."
The Argentine defender may have changed clubs but a quirk of fate means he's kept the same coach. "It was enough of a coincidence when I joined up with Mazzarri again at Napoli [the two previously worked together at Sampdoria] and now this is an even bigger coincidence because I'd already agreed to join Inter, although that didn't stop me from giving 100% for Napoli until the very end. So here I am with Mazzarri again, my seventh pre-season with him. I'll try to help my team-mates grasp what he wants and expects of us. I know everything about him. He's always been really fired up and he's always tried to convey that drive to his players, then of course it's up to them to take on board everything he's capable of giving you. He's got a lot to give."
Campagnaro will wear the number 14 shirt that was Guarin's last year and he explained how that came about: "To be honest, I was really surprised. He knew that I'd had number 14 at Napoli and he came out and said he'd let me have it. I wasn't expecting it and I'm grateful to him. I've spent the last five years playing with this number and it's always been good for me."
The defender's arrival further swells a strong Argentine contingent at Inter. "Having so many of my fellow countrymen around the place will help me to settle in, but don't forget this is my 14th season in Italy. We've got a fantastic group of lads here and not only because there are lots of Argentines. I'm happy and I don't expect to have any problems adjusting to life at Inter, especially considering I've got the same coach. Competition for places? I'll just do my best and then it's up to the gaffer to decide. I'm here to help the team."
The sturdy centre-back was asked if Mateo Kovacic could turn into a player in the Marek Hamsik mould. "Definitely. I've been impressed by Kovacic. He's got the potential to become as good as Marek or even better."
What about the three-man defence, Mazzarri's preferred defensive system and also the one adopted by Inter last season? "The most recent experience at Inter didn't go so well but Mazzarri has always achieved great results with it. There are lots of different ways of defending with three at the back."
Finally, Campagnaro was asked what reasons there are to hope that Inter can overtake Juventus. "Inter have some superb players and that's the most important thing. They've also got fresh motivation with the arrival of a new coach. So the quality of the personnel and the impetus provided by the coach – they're the reasons. Everyone knows Juve are a formidable side but we don't fear anyone."
