MILAN – "We're on a path with president Thohir and we want to stay on it. We're experiencing some difficulties at the moment but that's not a reason to break off before we've reached the end. We want to see this through and take Inter back to the top." That's how Javier Zanetti began a long interview with Sky Sport Italia today.
He went on: "I read that Moratti would like to come back in and I was surprised because Moratti is already part of Inter. From the very first day I've said that he will always be a part of Inter. It's something he feels in his blood, as Thohir does and we all do. The Moratti family, Thohir and everyone else working for this club want to make sure Inter get back to the top.
"We want Inter to return to where it deserves to be, challenging for the top prizes. Perhaps we didn't expect to come up against all these problems but they're part and parcel of the game - that's life. We want to make things better as quickly as possible so that the team can be competitive.
"It doesn't matter if you speak English, Spanish or Italian. What matters are these colours and working together, as we're doing. Those of us working behind the scenes have to wear the shirt too, while looking after Inter's best interests. We feel proud. We have to tell ourselves that we're Inter and that we want the club and the team to be highly competitive. And that's true regardless of the spell we're going through. Inter will always be a great club.
"I'm studying English and I'm pleased with the progress I've made. It's a big advantage for me. I've begun this new career as a club official, I'm trying to do my bit for Inter with my values and skills.
"It's important to remain close to the team in this tricky period and that's what we're doing. We can't leave the team by themselves - the coach needs our support. I try to lend a hand, offer my help. I talk to Thohir a lot and to Bolingbroke, who people on the outside might not know very well yet but he's doing a fantastic job. I speak to Mancini and Ausilio, we're trying our best to put together a team that can mix it with the best.
"Thohir isn't absent as I've heard some people wrongly say. He may be far away but he calls us often, we speak and discuss ideas. He's the one behind this project, the one who's pointing the way. He'll be here next week when we have some massive games, the derby and then Roma. It's another opportunity for us to take stock of things, while remaining positive and confident about what's to come.
"Thohir has built up Inter Forever with Francesco Toldo. It's a fantastic project that the club gives the highest importance to. It's a way for former players to remain close to this great big family. And it's important to be close to this club at the moment. We just have to concentrate on what's best for Inter and that's what we're doing. That's the only way we can improve and I'm sure we'll start getting the wins that we all expect. As I said, we mustn't forget that Inter are a great club and will always be a great club – for everything its achieved in its history and for everything it means to pull on this jersey.
"I'm very close to the fans and one of the most important things for the club is respect for them – the fans are the most important thing of all. The fact is that we have nine games left and it's our duty to play them as best we can. I don't know where we will finish but we have to give it everything we have until we cross the end line and then see where we are.
"Together with the president, Roberto and Piero we'll try to build a competitive side that can challenge for the targets the fans expect us to be challenging for, while respecting the regulations we have to follow. We'll do everything possible to put together a strong squad. Roberto is full of enthusiasm, he's come back here because of what the club means to him, because he loves the shirt. We won loads together and now he's come back to prove himself all over again. We'll overcome the problems together. No one is looking out for themselves here. We'll do everything possible to get back to the top as quickly as possible."
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