APPIANO GENTILE - Nemanja Vidic has arrived after eight and a half years with Manchester United. His history with the Red Devils and trophies won – many of which came as team captain – demonstrate the pedigree of the Serbian defender, capable of making his character, technique and mental strength count in a top team. There’s a long history when it comes to the central defenders who have made Inter great. We can name two of them. Laurent Blanc, who arrived in 1999 aged 34, a World Cup winner who spent two fantastic seasons at Inter before moving on to end his outstanding career at Manchester United. And then came Lucio, who showed up at Inter at 31 to add the unforgettable treble to his CV, playing a starring role in the process.
Two examples we list to show the kind of qualities it takes to be selected by a club like Inter: international experience and a hunger to forge on at the highest level. This is why Nemanja Vidic is a guarantee. The now former Manchester United captain is widely considered one of the best central defenders in the world. Something Inter know quite well, since he headed a goal into the Nerazzurri net in the 2008/09 Champions League season, when the only thing that stopped the Red Devils in the end was Messi.
Physically imposing, Nemanja (the true pronunciation places the stress on the "e") was one of the first to arrive at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti to begin what promises to be an unforgettable season. A project that, as he admitted, convinced him thanks to the club’s winning character.
"A team that has such a winning history was obviously the best choice possible," he immediately stated. A club that has a tradition tied to Vidic’s home country: "It’s a tradition that I’ll carry forward with pride, following in the footsteps of Dejan Stankovic." Vidic had a discussion with the Nerazzurri legend before choosing Inter. And for those who think that moving to Italy means taking a step backwards after playing in England, he responded that, "English football is simply different. Italian football is also at a very high level."
He continued: "What president Thohir wants is to keep Inter at the highest level, and I’m happy to be a part of this project." Everywhere he’s played he’s been a part of important long-term projects that have always paid off, which was certainly the case at Manchester United. "The main idea is definitely to improve on last season. It’s normal to have big expectations but the most important thing is just to improve. Whether it’s a 3-man or 4-man defence makes little difference to me. I’ll try to become a part of this defence and win my place. I’ve always played in a back four but it’s no problem to play in a different formation. The most important thing is how much attention you give to a defensive system – even more so than the quality of the defenders that play in it."
Regarding the Slavic footballers that, from Handanovic to Kovacic, make up the team’s spine: "There are no good or bad players according to their nationality. The high percentage of Balkan players can only help me adapt here, and not just on the pitch."
As we said, Inter’s history is studded with central defensive stars and "as of today I’ll be lucky enough to be a part of a group of players like Cordoba, Zanetti, Samuel, Lucio, Materazzi and Chivu. Players who battled for trophies wearing this shirt." A shirt Vidic will soon be wearing. "I’d like to have the number 15 [his number at Manchester United], but I’ll be fine with whatever number I wear," said Inter’s new gladiator.
Welcome, Nemanja. Together we’ll be back at the top. Where Inter has always belonged.
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#WELCOMENEMANJA, #ASKVIDIC 4.7.2014
