APPIANO GENTILE - The Nerazzurri fans' appreciation follows him every day: every time he comes through the gates at La Pinetina, goes out in the city, as well as before and after every match. Jonathan Cicero Moreira, 'the Seagull' for those who shout at his crosses listening to the voice of Roberto Scarpini on Inter Channel, 'Magic Jonny' for everyone else, spoke to Marco Barzaghi in an interview, on now on Mediaset Italia Due (the second part will be aired at 13:00 tomorrow on Studio Sport).
He began by discussing how the start of the season has gone. "Has something changed with us even though we've only played two games? I think so, yes, all the players' form has changed. We're training a lot, and we do what the coach asks of us. We're doing a good job, we've still got a lot to learn, but we're happy with how things are going at the moment for Inter, and I think the coach and his staff are too, as they're seeing their work put into practice."
What about him personally? "I'm calm. I'm aware of the fact that ideas and opinions change very quickly in football and if I put in a bad performance people will go back to what they were saying before. I think I was doing well even before my shoulder injury. One thing is for sure: after Mazzarri joined, he spoke to me and explained what he wanted from me. He told me to push up on the flank and to work hard in training so I wouldn't feel as much effort in a match. Now I'm happy. I've always said I'm at Inter because I've got ability, otherwise I wouldn't be here. Perhaps there was just a slight lack of confidence in me or someone else, but it's there now. Is this turning point down to Mazzarri? I think a bit of it is, yes, he showed me he's a real man in the meeting we had when he first joined, telling me he picks players on form. You might have noticed that I wasn't on top form in the USA and I would come on in the second half of games, but now I'm playing better he's given me more confidence. I still have to improve but his faith in me is really important. And he speaks a lot with us."
Juventus will come to the San Siro a week on Saturday. What does Jonathan make of them? "We know how tough it is to play against them, they have a coach who's been with them for three years and a squad that's been working together for a while. But we're playing in front of our fans, they will help us, and I'm confident."
