APPIANO GENTILE - Best wishes to Diego Forlan,
who was born on 19 May 1979 in Montevideo and today turns 33 years old.
Best wishes to the Nerazzurri player on the part of Inter and all our fans
APPIANO GENTILE - Best wishes to Diego Forlan,
who was born on 19 May 1979 in Montevideo and today turns 33 years old.
Best wishes to the Nerazzurri player on the part of Inter and all our fans
MILAN – More than 500 people turned up at the Solo Inter store in Via Berchet 1, Milan, to meet Ivan Cordoba. And Ivan repaid their enthusiasm by patiently posing for photos and signing autographs. He also said a "Huge thank you" to the Nerazzurri fans via the journalists inside the official club store.
"A huge thank you not only for all the attention they are showing me today," the defender said, "but especially for everything they have given me over the years at Inter. Love and lots of support, and that's why I've always felt part of a family: it's always helped me along. These years have been like a wonderful dream, I really am grateful. Twelve and a half unforgettable years."
And a whole lot of emotions: "Right the way up to my last game, which was incredible. It helped me accept my choice more serenely. A choice I made with my family, partly so I could spend more time with them. I'm very attached to this team and I always will be, because it's the only team I've played for since coming to Europe. Which are my fondest memories? It has to be the Champions League... 2010 was an unforgettable year. Looking back the only disappointment was losing the European Super Cup. But another of my best memories is the first Coppa Italia – that's what started off our trophy-winning streak."
That streak that has come to a halt for the time being but Cordoba is sure the team will soon get back to winning ways because, "We're working towards a big future for this team. The president and the executives know what to do."That is what the Nerazzurri are interested in, Cordoba explained, not things like Juventus' 'third star': "That's their business, it's up to them to do what they want. We're not interested."
There was inevitably a question about his future: what will Ivan do now? He smiled and replied quite frankly, "I'm going to be a dad and a husband." And then what? "And then we'll see. I'm willing to do whatever the club thinks is right for me. I feel part of the Inter family, this is my home, and it will always remain in my heart regardless of what happens."
Finally, there were specific questions about two players: one who is rumoured to be in Inter's sights and the other who is already a Nerazzurri player. "Lavezzi is an extraordinary footballer and he'd fit in well here at Inter..." Ivan smiled. "As for Guarin, I'm sure he will have an amazing season next year. In these few games alone he's already shown what quality he has. And if he starts the season with everyone else he can play a key role."Another person with a key role to play is Andrea Stramaccioni, for whom Cordoba had nothing but praise: "He's great, an excellent coach. He immediately realised what needed to be done."
MILAN - Photos, autographs, smiles. Ivan Cordoba was greeted by 500 affectionate fans as he visited 'Solo Inter', the official Nerazzurri club shop in the heart of Milan (Via Berchet 1).
See the exclusive pictures here on inter.it
MILAN - The Nerazzurri Cruise - which will set sail on 16 June 2013 - was unveiled today at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti. The initiative sees a partnership between F.C. Internazionale and Royal Caribbean, and is a chance for Inter fans and representatives to come together. Bedy Moratti, honorary president of the Inter Clubs - whose members can enjoy many benefits when booking - was at the launch, along with Roberto Pirrera, director of marketing at Royal Caribbean, and Javier Zanetti.
Pirrera described the cruise as the perfect holiday for Inter fans. The 'Navigator of the Seas' - which will set sail from Civitavecchia before heading to Greece and Turkey - is the best ship in the fleet and holds more than 3,500 people. "It's a unique cruise ship in that it is equipped with a range of sporting facilities including an ice rink and a free climbing wall, making it the ideal vessel for supporters and sports lovers."
Zanetti was next to speak. What trophy would the captain like to take on board? "I know all our trophies will be on the ship, we've won so many over the last few years and this will be a great surprise for our supporters. I hope to get my hands on every trophy there is to win in the future, we want to go back to challenging for trophies, that's what a big club like Inter should be doing. Either way I'd love to go on the cruise with my family." The president has said that if Juventus put a third star on their shirts, Inter could add an emblem of the treble and the captain stated: "I don't know if we'll have a new shirt or not. As I've said, if it makes them happy, good luck to them. Everyone knows what went on in the past, let's try and move on. Congratulations go to Juventus for this league title."
Will there be an even larger Argentine contingent on board? The allusion is to Lavezzi. "Absolutely, if I bring my family, there are 5 of us now! I don't know, we're talking about a great player, if he were to join the club then we'd welcome him with open arms as we always do." On a cruise ship you also need someone to the take wheel. A word on Stramaccioni? "I think we've made progress over these last 9 games, but I'm also aware that we've still got a lot to work on. He's got a very clear vision, he's young but has a strong character. We can achieve a lot with him." Have you spoken to Lucio? "I've not yet spoken to him as I've not seen him since our last league game. I will have a word with him though because - if that is his decision - I'll be very disappointed because he's been great here over the years, we've won a lot together, and we'd be losing a very gifted player." There's been a host of big name departures from AC Milan. "A lot of them have left the club, which surprised me a little, as these players have not only given a lot to AC Milan, but also Italian football in general. It's a tough time for them. It's never easy to leave, I saw a lot of emotion and tears, I wish them the best of luck. They're great people and great champions."
And Ivan Cordoba? It was Bedy Moratti this time who spoke, describing Ivan as a very dear friend. "Our beloved Cordoba is a wonderful human being, he's always done incredible things both in sport and in life in general. He's a very dear friend, and he's done a lot of great work. All our players are like that. I hope he stays close by." Captain Zanetti echoed her sentiments. "A brother is leaving us, he's given so much for this shirt, even when he went through tough times, even when he was injured. He's been a great help to me, and for this reason I hope he stays nearby."
APPIANO GENTILE - Following training this morning, a press conference was held to unveil the Nerazzurri Cruise, a new opportunity for Inter fans organised by F.C. Internazionale in partnership with Royal Caribbean. The ship, which will depart from Civitavecchia before heading to Greece and Turkey, is to set sail on 16 June 2013.
See the pictures from the press conference on inter.it
APPIANO GENTILE - For now Inter are still training at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti but soon they will be at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the heart of Jakarta, where they will play two friendlies next week.
Take a look at inter.it's pictures of Friday's training session in Appiano:
APPIANO GENTILE - The Nerazzurri's second training session of the week lasted about an hour this morning. After a warm-up phase, the players had a 9-a-side match on half of the pitch before ending with a series of training games.
Wesley Sneijder, Diego Forlan, Fredy Guarin and Yuto Nagatomo are away on international duty but Raffaele Di Gennaro, Cristiano Biraghi, Philippe Coutinho, Paolo Hernan Dellafiore, Jonathan and Luca Tremolada were all present. Julio Cesar got involved as an outfield player.
Ricardo Alvarez, Cristian Chivu, Lucio, Joel Obi and Dejan Stankovic trained separately while Luc Castaignos followed a personalised programme aimed at getting him back to match fitness.
Training will resume on Monday afternoon - the team's last session in Appiano before they set off for their Indonesia tour.
APPIANO GENTILE - Today was the second and last training session of the week for Andrea Stramaccioni's Nerazzurri. Their final session before Tuesday's departure for Jakarta will take place on Monday.
Thanks to inter.it's exclusive pics, you can follow the players close up around the training ground:
APPIANO GENTILE - The Nerazzurri are on the pitch at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti for their second and final training session of the week. Andrea Stramaccioni has split the players into groups for today's session, which you can follow on inter.it and Inter Channel.
The day here in Appiano will end at 13:00 with a press conference to present the Nerazzurri Cruise initiative. Bedy Moratti and club captain Javier Zanetti will be present.
The last session at Inter's training ground is scheduled for Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning the team will set off for their Indonesia tour.
MILAN - This evening President Massimo Moratti gave a telephone interview on Solo Inter, the radio programme produced by Inter Club Malta.
President, this wasn't the best of seasons, was it?
"It was a transitional season. It didn't get off to a very good start with the coach in place so we spent the whole year playing catch-up. We tried a few things to try and put right what had gone wrong before but it doesn't actually solve much."
Do Inter need to make a few adjustments or rebuild from scratch?"Inter must keep working to get the most out of the players we have – those who are up to the task – while looking for others who fit in with the coach's ideas and most importantly who are good enough to play for Inter."
Which of the 16 trophies won during your reign is dearest to you?
"It would be quite natural to say the Champions League - a trophy that fills the fans and the club with pride. But I must say the one I liked the most from our Treble season was the win at Siena because it made the Treble possible. It was also the game in which we suffered the most."
Why isn't the official Inter magazine published any more?
"I think it was a decision taken for organisational reasons, so also a question of rationalisation. But I do think that a monthly Inter magazine is a good way for Inter Club members to keep in touch with the club and I agree that it wasn't the best choice."
Why do the players who come through Inter's youth academy often get sent to play elsewhere?"Because often they aren't meant for Inter's first team but for other teams in different positions. Some need to go out to get themselves noticed. Take Mattia Destro for example: playing for Genoa and then especially at Siena he was able to showcase his talent and if he hadn't then he wouldn't be the player he is now. At the moment Inter have a lot of very good players both in the Primavera [U19] and the Berretti [U18] – players who, given the way we're going to set things up with our coach from here on in, will find more space in the first team."
How did Andrea Stramaccioni win you over?
"That was a decision I took because I consider him to be a very intelligent lad, and I needed to freshen things up and provide a bit of a spark. That's why I made a choice that seemed crazy but actually turned out to be inspired."
Will the club remain in the hands of the Moratti family in the future?
"I certainly hope so [smiling]. I don't think there are any alternatives... The main thing is that the club keeps moving, with the owners getting involved, so that it can remain strong. You'll have to bear with me for a while yet..."
Why does it seem that Inter are the only club respecting the financial fair play rules?
"Because the other clubs either have their books in order and so can afford to do so, or if they don't they must have their reasons for it. But I must say that everyone is keeping it in mind now because both Michel Platini and the institutions have reiterated that it's going to be fairly strict. They might delay it but you have to be careful. And in any case it's important to keep your books in order."
If Juventus were to put three stars on their shirt, would Inter consider putting the treble badge on the Nerazzurri shirt?"That's a good idea but I think if Juventus start displaying three stars then all the other teams will start using their imagination - that's what Juve are doing. Everyone will be able to do whatever they want."
You decided you wanted to quit when you sensed there was something strange going on within the system. What did you think when that sensation was actually confirmed?
"I thought I was right..."
Can you tell us how things stand with Wesley Sneijder, Lucio and Diego Forlan?
"We see Sneijder as a player who can be a key figure in Inter's future, so no problem there. Lucio has recently told us that he's uncertain so we'll see whether it might be better for him to move on. Forlan? Lots of players are happy to remain at Inter but we'll have to see if that happens or if it's better for them to go and play elsewhere. Will I stick with people who deserve it? Yes, that goes for the players but we'll apply the same reasoning throughout the whole club."
Do you still speak to José Mourinho?
"Of course, we're still very good friends and he loves Inter. Is he like Herrera? They are different in terms of character but the same in terms of getting results, especially in the immense amount of work they put in - they both work very, very hard indeed; they seem tireless. Then they have intelligence and intuition."
One of our listeners says he really doesn't know how to thank you for the enormous investments you've made in the club so far.
"I'll give him my bank details... [smiling]. Joking aside, tell him that it's all been done with great passion."
President, can you reveal to us live who Inter's next signing will be?"Not yet and in any case I don't know because we've spoken about the importance of the fair play rules and it's true: at the moment the world is spinning in a certain way and football is still spinning faster. I do think we're making the right moves though. In one way or another we'll do something that will make the fans happy."
What can you tell us about Lavezzi?
"For the moment I think that's another deal that, if it is to happen, will have to be done very patiently paying attention to the financial aspects."
Can we close with a greeting for all Inter Club members in Malta?
"I thank every one of them. You can't imagine how happy it makes me to hear about all this passion there is for Inter. I take all this as part of my duty, which is to make it possible for Inter not only to be competitive but also successful. Everything that needs to be done will be done."
APPIANO GENTILE - 200 children from the Inter football school took part this afternoon in the team's first training session of the week.
Alongside the first team players, their passion took on two distinct colours: blue and black.
inter.it provides you with exclusive pics from the session:
APPIANO GENTILE - The league season is over but Inter were once again back in training at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti with the first of two sessions this week. Biraghi, Coutinho, Jonathan and Tremolada all trained with the first team.
Join us again in training with the exclusive pictures on inter.it
APPIANO GENTILE - Inter Channel will be airing a special edition of Prima Serata tonight at 21:00 on channel 232 of Sky Italia and streaming on inter.it.
Andrea Stramaccioni was the guest in the studio, with host Edoardo Caldara. The Nerazzurri coach was among family in the television studio and one joke led to another as they set up his microphone but, as the countdown began for filming to start, there he was on the bench; in a clip showing a collage of images, nine matches, gestures, movements, shouts, smiles, embraces, as the viewers eyes are spellbound.MILAN - For the first time ever you'll be able to go onto the pitch and even take a penalty!
This is a new experience available to visitors to the San Siro for the third edition of the "White Night", which will take place at the stadium from 18:30 onwards.
You'll be able to walk the same route as your heroes, go out from the changing rooms, onto the pitch via the tunnel and walk past the dug-out. This year thousands of people will be able to realise their dreams of walking out onto the pitch!
Participants will also be able to take a penalty for the first time!
The stadium is at the centre of a vast green area of Milan, with an ever growing range of facilities designed to meet the varying demands of the general public. The "White Night" will bring people closer to an iconic sporting venue like the San Siro - not only sports lovers but also people who don't usually go to matches.
Join us on the pitch and see what goes on at the San Siro on a daily basis!
MILAN - There will be a special guest at Solo Inter, tomorrow afternoon, Friday 18 May.
Ivan Cordoba will be at the official Inter club shop - Via Berchet 1 in Milan - from 15:00 to 16:00 to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos.
Be there, Cordoba's waiting for you!
MILAN - The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is where Inter are going to train and play their two friendlies in Jakarta. It is a multi-purpose stadium with its own running track but mostly used for football matches - Persija Jakarta play their home games there. Named after Sukarno, the first Indonesian president (in office 1945-67), it was inaugurated on 24 July 1962 in time for the Asian Games of the same year.
The initial seating capacity of 100,800 was reduced to 80,083 following restructuring work in 2007, when the stadium hosted the final of the AFC Asian Cup. 70,000 seats will be available for Inter's two friendlies.
The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium has been used for a variety of functions down the years, including a grand mass held by Pope John Paul II on 9 October 1989. Lady Gaga was due to perform there on 3 June, just days after Inter's departure, but the concert has recently been cancelled following Muslim protests.
"Thank you wonderful Inter!
My heart is still pounding but I wanted to share this emotional story with all of you. I came to Milan at 14 with a suitcase full of dreams, I lived in digs and I was desperate to become a great goalkeeper. After four years in the academy, I began to move around a lot, to gain experience. I played at every level but my heart was always here, at the San Siro, where as a kid I fought to become a ball boy and watch Walter Zenga from up close, especially when he used to get the fans behind him, in the end of the stadium where he too started out.
After various spells all over Italy, I was called back and I almost couldn't believe it as I packed my case for the last time. I was coming home, to Inter. I still remember that day. I was at a Serie B club where I was negotiating a possible deal when I received a phone call and..."Sorry, I have to go, that's where I need to be."
The last seven years have been fantastic, unforgettable. An extraordinary group of players have made footballing history. League titles, Coppa Italias, Super Cups, the Champions League, the Club World Cup.
Thanks go to president Moratti and his wonderful family.
I thank the directors. I'd like to thank all the people who work with and around the squad on a daily basis, those at Appiano Gentile, at the stadium, Inter Campus, Inter Club headquarters and at the Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti.
I thank my team-mates who have always made me feel important, perhaps even overly so. I'd like to thank the coaches, the backroom staff, Professor Combi, the doctors, as well as the masseurs and physios who have...held me together.
I thank Inter fans everywhere. My dream has come true. I won't be the next Walter Zenga but they've always sung my name at the San Siro. I hope I've been able to return that affection, and show that I'm just one of you. The only difference is that I not only love this shirt as a fan, but that I also am lucky enough to play in it.
Now the first chapter is closed. In the second I'd like to realise a new dream, to become a goalkeeper coach. The best part is that I can do it here, at home. So I'll be able to tell future goalkeepers that playing for Inter is a privilege, something to be appreciated every day, it's something which gives you strength.
Forza Inter forever!"
Paolo Orlandoni
MILAN - The Indonesian Premier League is the top tier of football in Indonesia,
or their equivalent of our Serie A. It was established as recently as 2011,
replacing the Indonesia Super League, with a reduction in the number of
participating teams from 18 to the present 12.
However, professional football is something that has been embraced in Indonesia
since 1930 with the founding of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI),
15 years before the country's independence. The PSSI joined FIFA in 1952 and
the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1954.
The Indonesian league is currently underway, with Semen (a team from Padang, a
city in the province of Western Sumatra) at the top of the table, while
Persija, the side from Jakarta that will host the Nerazzurri, currently sit in
eighth. The team from the capital is one of the oldest in the country, founded
on 28 November 1928, two years before the federation was created. Their fans
are referred to as 'Metro Tigers', reflecting their ardent support for their
team.
MILAN – Many happy returns to our President, also on behalf of the millions of Inter fans throughout the world.
A boy in China once told us that he didn't have a favourite player and if he had to choose a favourite Nerazzurri hero above the others it would be Massimo Moratti. "Because the President represents every one of us," he remarked candidly.
Those few words contain a profound sentiment and an awareness of the passion and enthusiasm Massimo Moratti puts into his job of guiding Inter. Not that it's always easy. But the President is up for a challenge; he never thinks anything is too difficult. And he has overcome his fair share of challenges in 17 years at the helm of the club, winning 16 trophies with the first team and six with the Primavera. Doing so fairly, politely, intelligently and with a sense of humour and proportion that never goes amiss in a world where nearly everything is taken too seriously.
He has not been alone in this Nerazzurri adventure of his; he has been through it with his nearest and dearest – Milly, their five children, their grandson Alessandro. He still remembers watching his father Angelo's Great Inter side, with the love of a child: history has repeated itself and not only in terms of the success achieved.
A marvellous, immense story. One that we would all like to live. And one that he has lived honestly and spontaneously.
Happy birthday, President Moratti.
Susanna Wermelinger
MILAN - Inter Academy's latest venture is forging ahead. Following the success of F.C. Internazionale football schools in Abu Dhabi and Seattle, the final selection phase of project India - organised with Tata Tea Jaago Re - will take place in Calcutta between 16 and 23 May.
10,000 under-15s from 1,000 schools across 15 cities have been seen and whittled down to the most promising 40 kids. Over the next week Inter Academy technical director Marco Monti and Massimo Ciocci will hand-pick the best 16 to take back to the Nerazzurri youth academy base in Milan. There, at the Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti, the lucky few will prepare for and play a friendly against the Nerazzurri Under-15 side.
MILAN - Inter can start planning their defence of the NextGen Series after the groups for the 2012/13 edition were announced today.
Next year the 'U19 Champions League' will be expanded to include 24 teams divided into six groups of four. Each side will play six games (home and away) between 13 August and 13 December 2012, with the top two from each group being joined in the last 16 by the four best third-placed sides. If two or more teams finish level on points, qualification will be decided by goal difference then goals scored. Like this year all matches in the final stage of the tournament - from the semi-finals onwards - will be held in the same location.
Reigning champions Inter have been drawn in Group 5, along with Rosenborg, Borussia Dortmund (making their debut in the tournament) and Liverpool.
Here are all six groups:
GROUP 1
Tottenham; Barcelona; Wolfsburg; Anderlecht.
GROUP 2
Manchester City; Juventus; Fenerbahce; Paris St Germain.
GROUP 3
Chelsea; Ajax; CSKA Moscow; Molde.
GROUP 4
Aston Villa; Sporting Lisbon; PSV Eindhoven; Celtic.
GROUP 5
Liverpool; Borussia Dortmund; Rosenborg; Inter.
GROUP 6
Arsenal; Athletic Bilbao; Olympique Marseille; Olympiacos.
MILAN - The Nerazzurri will play two friendlies during their stay in Indonesia and both are to take place in Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which will also host Inter's training sessions.
The first match on the tour - 24 May, 19:00 local time (14:00 CET) - sees Andrea Stramaccioni's side take on a mixed XI, made up of players from the Indonesia Under-23 side and the best players from the Indonesian Premier League. Inter will meet the Indonesia senior national side in their second game on 26 May (kick-off 19:30 local time, 14:30 CET).
Both friendlies will be broadcast on Inter Channel (Sky Italia, channel 232).
ROME - Live from the Circolo Caniene in Rome for the annual award ceremony of
the USSI [Italian Sports Press Union], Andrea Stramaccioni spoke to Mattina
Sport on Rai Sport 1. The Nerazzurri coach explained: "For the situation I
found when I arrived at Inter, reaching Europe was the minimum objective. Maybe
the wins for Udinese and Napoli yesterday made our defeat to Lazio a bit less
bitter because the true difference would have been in reaching third or fourth
place. Now the season is over and we're all focused –the players and the
president – on working to get Inter back to the place in the standings we
deserve."
Stramaccioni then commented on Giampaolo Pazzini's exclusion from the Italy's
Euro 2012 squad: "Prandelli made his best evaluations just as I do myself.
I'm sorry for him, because he's one of my players and I feel a bond with him.
But we respect the choices of the coach."
Regarding his future on the Inter bench, Stramaccioni reiterated that
"we'll leave these kinds of comments to the president because that's his
territory. Someone said Moratti doesn't want to invest much in the squad for
the future? Not as far as I know. In spite of how it might sometimes seem, he
has clear ideas on how to return Inter to greatness. Yesterday there was also a
lot of bitterness over the defeat, but there's also the desire to start again
right away as Inter should, by battling for important objectives."
Stramaccioni continued: "President Moratti confirmed to the press that
I'll still be here, but my timing was a bit different. What I had stated well
in advance, and as an Interista it irritated me a bit, was that feeling that
Inter had three different plans in mind based on how they would finish in the
league. However that was not the case; Inter have a clear plan, and it seems
obvious to me that the president has a right as to when, how and where he will
define it. Will I still be the Inter coach? Yesterday I was on the bench with
Inter and now we have a tour in Indonesia. But I repeat that it's up to the
president to state."
The season will start earlier than normal, but Stramaccioni is making no
excuses: "I tend to go against the current a bit. It would have come down
to a week or 10 days of difference between a fifth or sixth-place finish. If
I'm not mistaken AC Milan will begin pre-season around 9 or 10 July and play in
the Champions League. These are petty differences that don't matter. We're
interested the Europa League. Atletico Madrid started in the first round of
preliminaries and won it, and so can we."
Finally, regarding the Scudetto that Juventus won, Stramaccioni was clear:
"Juventus had the final word on the pitch this season. And in a calm and
sporting manner we send them our congratulations, hoping that Inter will return
to those positions as soon as possible."
ROME - Esteban Cambiasso looked beyond the Lazio game and reflected on the season as a whole: "We didn't end it the way we wanted but it's over now and I think given the way it went that's a good thing. We have to make sure we learn from our mistakes, and not only the ones that made us throw away a first-half lead today. We have to make sure this bad season is just an island in the middle of an ocean of success."
Getting into Europe is nonetheless an achievement because it looked impossible at a certain point of the year. "It shows that the desire was there. Of course turning desire into reality is not always something you're able to achieve. The reality for us now is that we're in Europe and if we do well in the qualifying round we'll be involved in three competitions - a sign that we have no intention of taking it easy."
Cambiasso was coy when asked which mistakes Inter need to learn from: "Talking about them and making them known publicly would be a weakness for the team. We're fully aware of the mistakes we've made. The main thing is that we understand them and accept that it didn't come about by chance: we all know that if our season went the way it did it's because we didn't fulfil our potential - not because we didn't try hard enough but for a series of reasons. We have to close this chapter now, recharge our batteries and remember that Inter can afford to have a bad year, but not more than one."
The Argentine ended with the positives to be taken from this season: "Our desire to react and the fact that we never hid away - we always stood up to adversity."
ROME - "It's a shame because we played well today, especially in the first half," Diego Milito told Inter Channel after the match.
His strike against Lazio means Milito equalled his personal record of 24 league goals, achieved with Genoa. "But I'd happily have swapped them all to have been challenging for the prizes we're used to at Inter..." the Prince sighed.
He continued: "We're looking forward. We're disappointed because we really wanted it, but we have to look forward. Our targets for next year? To be in the mix right up till the end and playing for the targets we're accustomed to. We'll get off to a good start next term and at least we ended this season well, apart from tonight's defeat. We must represent Inter as well as we can. We'll try to do well in Serie A and also in the Europa League."
ROME - Javier Zanetti didn't try to hide his disappointment after Inter's defeat to Lazio: "We're sorry we couldn't win because it would have meant a round less to play in the Europa League," the skipper told Inter Channel. "But that's the way it went and we must thank all the fans who stood by us throughout the season despite all the difficulties. We can make a fresh start now. We're determined to do things differently next year and become a major player again."
What advice does the captain have for Andrea Stramaccioni? "I don't think I need to give him any advice. He knows he has to work very hard with all of us so that we can get back to challenging at the top. A club like Inter deserves to be higher than this and we'll all work together to make that happen."
Zanetti's biggest regret this year was "not being more consistent. We played well at times but were found wanting in too many games. Our final league position reflects that. The desire was there but all too often we failed to achieve what we were capable of."
The captain also had a special thought for Paolo Orlandoni, who announced his retirement before Lazio v Inter: "I want to thank him because he joined Inter a long time before me. He's a great man and a top professional. I know we're going to miss him."
ROME - Inter are defeated 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico and end the season in 6th place in the standings.
inter.it provides you with pics from the game
ROME - Despite a strong opening and a goal from Diego Milito, the Nerazzurri lose 3-1 against Lazio. Photos from the match: