APPIANO GENTILE - "On Sunday we face a team that will want to start the season well, just as we and all the other sides do. They might be even more up for beating Inter after their Coppa Italia exit." Esteban Cambiasso spoke to Mediaset's Marco Barzaghi about the Nerazzurri's first opponents of the 2013/14 season, Genoa, explaining: "Besides the dangers our opponents might pose this season, what we need to try and do is build our own identity, that's what really counts."
In the interview which is scheduled to go on air between 19:00 this evening and 13:00 tomorrow on SportMediaset, he speaks of the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband until Zanetti returns: "I know very well what my role in this team is and being captain doesn't bring with it any more responsibility than I am used to taking on normally, having more responsibilities wouldn't be positive."
And if someone says this team isn't even good enough for the Europa League, Cambiasso replies: "Let them say what they want to. We can't criticise the critics. Of course to be able to make statements like this they must have seen all the matches beforehand... [smiling]."
He went on to talk about the changes: "This is an Inter which is starting from scratch. Over the past few seasons we have been basing everything on a solid structure, a familiar team with the occasional addition. We are starting from scratch and for this reason it is crucial that we do well right from day one."
Referring to Walter Mazzarri, El Cuchu explained: "You know well that I don't like to talk about coaches, but I can say that all of the coaches we've had have given all they could and Mazzarri is no exception."
On the rumours regarding a possible return to the club of Samuel Eto'o and Leonardo: "Samuel is a great footballer, we know him and we know what he's capable of. He would be an extra striker. With Leonardo the situation is different, he can cover various roles in a club. What they have in common is that they both did a lot for Inter."
The situation of the club and Erick Thohir. Cambiasso spoke about this as well, but only to answer a specific question: "We are footballers and this has nothing to do with us. We must go out onto the pitch and play football. Whatever happens will come out. These are decisions which are taken at higher levels. We must follow the coach's instructions and play. Is president Moratti on his way out? I have no idea. I don't like guessing. There are thousands of people who like making guesses about anything and everything. I am realistic and I like basing what I say on facts."
Towards the end of the interview he spoke about Zanetti's return again: "I have already said this about Milito's and Mudingayi's recoveries," concluded Cambiasso. "The correct way is to look towards a positive recovery rather than a speedy one. We have faith in our medical staff and Pupi has already said that. Diego is reaching the end of his treatment, Mudingayi is back and Javier will be back too."
