APPIANO GENTILE – Samir Handanovic has called for Inter to put the season just gone behind them and focus on a successful 2016/17 campaign.
"There’s no point looking back now – you can’t change the past," the Slovenian goalkeeper told Inter Channel’s Season Review on Thursday. "We need to stay positive and look to the future."
Handanovic can say that with some authority, having secured his own future with a contract extension to 2019 in January: "I’m delighted with the deal. I made my decision and I’m pleased with it."
There are many positives to take forward from 2015/16 season, however, and Handanovic is keen for the group to keep developing from a psychological perspective: "There are a whole host of factors at play within a team. In the modern game everyone needs to put the hard work in and provide cover.
"The mental side of things is really important because it helps you to win. Sadly, we had a dip in January after spending a long time at the top of the table and having gone off for Christmas in first position.
"The group can improve across the board, not just in terms of character. We started in Brunico with half a new squad and people weren’t happy after the first few friendlies, which don’t matter anyway. We created enthusiasm and energy after the first two games, but a season lasts 38 matches and we need to learn from that for the coming years."
Handanovic was the author of many a vital save last season, but the Slovene was under no doubt as to his favourite: "It was the one against Atalanta in Bergamo. It was a desperate situation. I came out just as I try to do in training and it paid off."
The goalkeeper also thanked fans for their recognition of his contribution to the side: "It’s satisfying because I know when I’ve helped the team gain a point or two and when I’ve cost them. All keepers know when they’ve pulled off an amazing save or made a mistake. It was a tough week for me after my error against Fiorentina, despite all the experience I’ve built up over the years. The best feeling is bouncing back from those mistakes."
One of the big reasons behind Handanovic’s popularity with the fans is the way he always fronts up to the cameras after a bad game: "Everyone has their own personality and character, but if I think something’s right then I do it. I try to keep training hard in order to improve. Self-criticism is very important in our job – you have to look at yourself and figure out where you can get better."
Last but not least, Handanovic ran the rule over the European goalkeeping panorama: "I think there are a great many top goalkeepers in Europe. They all excel in different areas of the game but I don’t believe that there’s one keeper that’s head and shoulders above the rest."
