COLOGNO MONZESE (MI) - Hernanes was the guest on Tiki Taka - Il calcio è il nostro gioco, a sports talk show hosted by Italia Uno’s Pierluigi Pardo.
From the Mediaset studios, the Nerazzurri midfielder talked about how things are currently going for both him and Inter, as well as the fans, who have always supported him in his Italian adventure.
What kind of moment is this in your career?
"A fantastic one. For years I had aimed at landing a big team, and it’s not that the others weren’t. But Inter is something different. Now I’m 28 years old, mature, experienced and it’s a magical moment."
Where does your somersault celebration come from?
"It’s something I’ve been doing since I was a kid. It started when I was a 10 year old playing futsal."
What’s going on right now with Inter?
"It’s not the easiest moment right now. It happens, and it’s something I’ve been through several times in my career. Was I expecting things to be easier? Yes, because at the beginning we won 4 matches in a row before our path brought us to this detour. It’s not easy, but it’s nothing we can’t work out. Everything’s under control. We’re ready to do well to end the season the best way we can."
What kind of a singer are you? [the question comes as the programme shows footage of the player with a guitar]
"It was a dedication, but it’s kind of like playing a risky pass. I took a risk, although I’m not the greatest singer. Was it dedicated to Mazzarri? No, come on… [smiling]"
Inter have received fewer penalties in their favour than they’ve deserved. Is that something that weighs on you in the dressing room?
"Every now and then it gets discussed, but we can’t dwell on these things because we can do more. They just gave us one, fortunately. Now we can look ahead."
You have a positive outlook. Why should the fans feel the same way?
"Since I’ve been at Inter I’ve seen so much quality, even from the youngsters who don’t play as much. I’ve seen a team with a lot of possibilities and I’m convinced that so far I haven’t been able to help out as much as I would have liked because of a few problems. But they’re gone now and things will turn around."
Did the team try to encourage Diego Milito after his missed penalty against Bologna?
"You have moments like these in football. You can give it everything you have, but even with all your effort sometimes things don’t work out if you feel pressure and you’re not relaxed. He’s always been a penalty taker. I had also approached the ball, but he took the responsibility and was quicker to make the decision."
On your last day at the Lazio training ground you were leaving and saying goodbye to the fans. Then what happened?
"I easily become close to people. Also in the month I was at the hotel in Milan I became close friends with a young guy who always delivered food to me. What do Lazio mean to me? In Brazil I had 10 agents that wanted to send me all over the world. Lazio came to sign me and brought me here. They believed in me, so if I could say just one word to them it would be ‘thanks’, for everything they gave me."
Are you aware of the controversy between Lazio president Lotito and the club’s fans?
"Yes. I don’t know what’s going on, but hopefully it ends soon."
What kind of relationship did you have with Roma fans?
"It was strange because every now and then I would meet someone who would tell me, ‘You’re great, Profeta’, but then they would add, ‘But watch out because I’m a Roma fan’ [smiling]."
What kind of differences have you found between Rome and Milan?
"I wasn’t expecting it, but I’ve found there’s a lot of warmth here."
What kind of relationship do you have with president Thohir? Is he a nice person? What language do you use to communicate?
"We speak in English. Yes, he’s very nice, although I’ve only seen him three times. I really like the approach he takes towards us players."
Do you feel a bit of responsibility for having been the signing made to sort out Inter’s problems?
"Yes, but I'm also very happy because this opportunity came at the right moment in my career. Now I feel comfortable and can give my all to help get Inter back where they belong."
Let’s end things with a thought on the World Cup. Who is going to win it?
"Brazil, I hope. Italy? They’re a team that the others won’t want to play against."
