APPIANO GENTILE - Almost a month to the day since joining the club, Saphir Taider spoke to Sky Sport Italia after this morning's training session about how he's found the whole experience so far.
Having earned himself a starting spot against Juventus on Saturday, the Algerian youngster began by explaining what it was like to play in front of a packed Meazza: "It was amazing! We were happy with the way we played but that match is already in the past now and we have to look ahead to the next one, against Sassuolo.
"Do I feel privileged to play for Inter at the age of 21? I've worked my socks off to join a club like Inter but it doesn't end here. I must keep growing. I had the chance to come to Inter and I've promised myself to improve a little bit every day."
Taider went on to discuss his relationship with Walter Mazzarri: "We all know what he wants from us players. He's got a great track record in Italy and we're trying to carry out his instructions.
"What does Inter mean to me? I want to honour these colours every time I step onto the pitch."
From Pioli's Bologna to Mazzarri's Inter: a change of club and coach but also in playing style and position perhaps? "There's not all that much difference actually. Pioli asked me to do the defensive work and get forward whenever I could. There are lots of things I need to work on. I'm young and I'm not setting myself any limits.
"Does the coach give us tips on how to deal with the media as well? No, he talks to us a lot about both football and non-football matters, personal relations. It's quite normal to discuss all manner of things with the coach."
On his hairstyle: "Who inspired my mohican? [Smiling] No one... I did."
The midfielder was then asked whether it's an advantage not to be involved in European competition ("as a player you always want to be in Europe because you get to pit your wits against great teams") and whether talk of Inter winning the Scudetto is perhaps a step too far: "The season's only just started and there's a long way to go; we'll see at the end. The team to beat? There are lots in Italy: Juventus, Milan, Napoli, Roma... they've got world-class players and that's good for everyone because it lifts the competitiveness of Serie A as a whole."
