APPIANO GENTILE - Preparations continue for this Sunday's derby. Andrea Ranocchia held a news conference earlier at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti. The Nerazzurri captain discussed the game against AC Milan, Verona and how the lads are building up to the Derby della Madonnina.
"We're confident, we've worked well on the back of a victory like the one we secured in Verona which can only be good for morale," began the defender. "You don't simply play in derbies, they're there to be won. Playing a derby at home is an amazing feeling for everyone involved. We need to give our fans something to smile about after a pretty up-and-down time of it. The derby is always a good chance to make people happy."
Ranocchia then discussed the win at Hellas Verona, as well as the derby, and spoke about how it feels to be captain: "Samir was brilliant on more than one occasion. We wanted to keep a clean sheet. Criticism comes with the job, when things aren't going well it's only natural the captain be put to the test. The derby is a special match for everyone, I know what it means because I've been here for a number of years. Zanetti and all the other greats I played alongside in the past gave me a clear idea of what this game's all about. The gaffer did very well after the Parma game, we didn't switch off, training on Easter Sunday and preparing for Verona in the best way possible. Zanetti left me a great legacy, I learned a lot from him. The first year as captain isn't easy but I've come on a lot in that regard. We'll do everything we can to get Inter back to where the club belongs."
Gnoukouri made his debut at Verona: "I congratulated him after the match because he did well when he came on. Debuts are always tricky but he wasn't overawed by the occasion. He'll be ready if the coach calls upon him, I'm sure of that. He's a quality player."
Finally, back to Sunday's match: "My best derby? The one this Sunday. Being captain is a great responsibility, I'm lucky to have this opportunity and I want to hang on to it. If I score, I'll buy everyone dinner," concluded Ranocchia.
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