MILAN - Javier Zanetti spoke to the media before and after the ceremony which saw Eric Abidal receive the Facchetti award (Il bello del calcio) in the Buzzati room at the headquarters of the Gazzetta dello Sport:
Here what's the Nerazzurri skipper had to say:
On the league: "The teams ahead of us are flying but Inter are also in the hunt for the Champions League places: we believe we can do it. Rodrigo Palacio is having a great year, with lots of goals and assists. Esteban Cambiasso is showing once again what a professional he is: we all experience tricky spells, but he's come through that with a lot of hard work and his usual class."
On his return to action: "I've finally relived what's it like to be near the action. I could have come on too but the injuries to my team-mates meant we were forced into certain changes. What matters though is the great game Inter played."
On the award given to Abidal: "This is a very important award because it carries the values of a great man like Giacinto Facchetti."
Were you also here today as an AIRC testimonial? "Yes, that's true, but the strongest message was Eric's, who said he battled the disease without fear."
On Thohir: "I don't know when he'll get here, but I think president Moratti, along with the entire Inter family, thinks we can make this club even greater. We think Moratti has definitely found important qualities in these people. I can't give my opinion on AC Milan, but they're still a great club."
Finally the captain also had some praise for Ricardo Alvarez: "I'm really happy for the kid, we've always believed in him, even last season he showed great character."
How far can Inter go?
"We're on a journey and our target is to go back to challenging again, we want to fight for something significant right into the final month of the season, that's what this club deserves."
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