PRAGUE – Inter vice president Javier Zanetti has called for the Nerazzurri to kick start their Europa League campaign with a result against Sparta Prague on Thursday night.
"We’ve got back on the right track in the league and we’re getting better all the time – we need to do the same in the Europa League now," Zanetti told Sky Sport Italia before kick-off.
"It’s an important match for both sides. We hope to see some of the other players score tonight. Palacio, for example, puts so much hard work in on the defensive side of things so he’d really deserve a goal."
Zanetti also said a few words about Andrea Ranocchia and Assane Gnoukouri, who both start against Sparta following good performances at the weekend.
"Ranocchia is doing very well, I’m pleased. He would have deserved to get that goal on Sunday. Frank de Boer has real confidence in him and if Andrea maintains the attitude he’s been showing then he’ll have plenty of opportunities to contribute to the team having a great season.
"Gnoukouri came on against Bologna and showed bags of personality. We know how valuable our youth academy is. We have Zonta on the bench tonight and he’s another that can pitch in. We hope that as many youngsters as possible can progress and represent the first team," explained Zanetti.
Last but not least, Zanetti wished Silvio Berlusconi and Andrei Shevchenko a happy birthday.
"I’d like to take this chance to say happy birthday to Silvio Berlusconi, who did so much for Italian football. Happy birthday to Shevchenko also, a player we faced in many derbies."
