PINZOLO – Marco Andreolli and Hugo Campagnaro were officially presented to the media as Inter players today, alongside sporting director Piero Ausilio. Andreolli opened the news conference by reflecting on his Nerazzurri past.
"Coming back here really is a homecoming for me. I remember the day I left the training camp in Brunico seven years ago: it was one of the saddest days of my life because I was leaving this fantastic club where I'd grown up. Coming back years later – having been around a bit, got some experience and become a better player – makes me feel extremely proud. I'm thrilled to be back.
"I hold such a fond memory of Giacinto Facchetti. When I was a youngster at Inter looking to break into the first team he was one of the first people to give me pointers. He'd come up to me and try to help me. He knew exactly which buttons to press. I cherish the advice he gave me.
"All the time I was away, I never put Inter completely out of my mind. When I left in that pre-season all those years ago, I still nourished this desire inside of me to do everything possible to better myself and earn the chance to wear this shirt again one day. I've been through some rough patches, like all footballers, and that's exactly what drove me on: the idea of one day earning the right to wear this shirt. And now that I'm back here I'm obviously delighted."
The journalists then wanted to know about Walter Mazzarri. "What's surprised me most is the coach's determination and drive. He's trying to instil that in the whole team. Seeing everyone else striving to improve, even the top-class players who have won everything down the years, is an example for us younger guys - the fact that they still have the desire to better themselves and lead the group. That's something that's surprised me. That and the coach's hunger."
Andreolli had a number of offers on the table but, "For me Inter are one of the biggest teams in the world and my first choice was always to come back here. I'm an Inter fan as well and that's obviously a factor. Having grown up here helps too; it's important to feel at home. The first few days of training camp are always going to be the toughest, but we're here to graft and to put some fuel in the tank so that's what we're doing."
How does Andreolli feel about playing in the middle of a three-man defence? "The coach is trying me out in that position. We've spoken about it because in previous years when I've played in a back three I was never in the middle. He'll test me out in other positions too but I'm prepared to do whatever he asks of me."
Reflecting further on his time away from the Nerazzurri nest, the defender said: "It was tough for me in my first year at Roma as I had an injury problem that kept me on the sidelines. I needed to get some experience under my belt, make some mistakes, and learn from them. That's what brings you on as a player, learning from your mistakes and not repeating them, and that's what I've done over the last few years. I'm a more mature player now, more aware of where I am and what I'm doing. Not that you should stop learning at the age of 27 – you have to carry on, follow the example of captain Zanetti..."
So what have Inter got that will help take them back to the top? That was another question put to the centre-back by journalists. Andreolli replied: "The talent we've got in this squad, the determination to make up for lost time and get back to achieving the sort of results this club was used to until just a few years ago. Then of course we're all focused on following the coach's instructions to the letter. The fans are hugely important for us and it's great to have them urging us on. We want to repay them for their support."
Marco declined to pick out a single team-mate that he's been most impressed by: "It's too early, we've only just got going, but as I said before what's surprised me has been the enthusiasm of the guys who have been here for years - their hunger to start over again and inspire the rest of us to make it to the top. We all bring different qualities to the team and if the team improves as a whole it will bring the best out of each of us."
Finally, he was asked why he chose the number 6 shirt. "There are three reasons. The first is that I used to have No.3, which is Giacinto's number here and quite rightly will remain his. 3 plus 3 makes 6. Then there's the fact that my dad is a diehard Interista and he remembers the number 6 worn by Armando Picchi. I get excited just saying his name: if I could only win a quarter of what he did... Six is also the number my mum wore when she played basketball."
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