How did you see this season and for what reasons do you think Inter has reached the final?
“I think it was a positive season, because I think we were competitive in all the matches we played. We have the last thing that remains, which is a great final of the Champions League, and the truth is that it would be very good to culminate and crown this dream.”
It is interesting to be back in the last two years later.
“It is not easy to play two finals in three years. After that final against Manchester City, before everyone said that Manchester City would be a lot of superior, and then in the game it wasn't. We have missed closely and now we still have a chance. Football always gives the opportunity and let's hope this is the right one.
The Champions League final is coming. How do you see Paris Saint-Germain? Do you see that they are a more organized team than they were and play more structured like a unit?
“I think she and we have reached the final, we have defeated a number of very important teams. I think Luis Enrique is a great coach who has given an identity to Paris Saint-Germain, and it will not be an easy game, in the opposite, a complicated game.
“They have a number of very strong players such as Dembele, Donnaruma goes through a great moment … It will be a nice final for me, where two teams trying to play good football, stand opposite each other, and it will probably be very even and very balanced.”
Arteta said after the semi -final that they were the better team because of the way they played. Do you think that is true or did they really play better?
“No, I think Arteta is talking because the run they had in the Champions League was very good. Then they are against a team like Paris Saint-Germain who conquered them and you have to honor what PSG did.”
About the new format of the Champions League, as a manager, do you think it was beneficial for the spectacle or was it favorable for the sports side?
“I think it was useful on both sides, because all the teams had to win to win, they could not speculate. There were eight games and those who scored the most points made the top eight, so that forced you to win and go for points in every game. That made it very attractive.
“It is true that you play more games, but well, the Champions League is always a spectacular competition to play in. I think it is the event with most repercussions worldwide after the world cup, and to play in it, to be a protagonist, to be part of it, a real party.”
The fact that Liverpool took so many points and was eliminated early …
“They are moments, it's football. Liverpool in those first eight games were better than many people, but then you go through the opposition and it becomes more difficult and harder. That is where you have to be prepared, and they came across PSG that they switched off.”
Simone (Inzaghi) has been a manager for a while. Is it fine with him?
“Very good. Since he arrived with us, this will be the fourth year. He is a coach with very clear concepts, the group follows him because they know that he is trying to give the team a great identity, and he does it: the team is playing good football.
“He has also grown over the years and today he goes personally through a great moment. He and his staff deserve to play in this final.”
Do you see him as a Ferguson for Inter, or do you think Cycli will come to an end?
“(Laughs). First of all, he and his family are very happy with us. He is very comfortable, people love him a lot, and that helps. I see that he is very calm.”
How do you see Lautaro (Martinez), the star of the team, and have you seen him develop as he has in the club?
“First of all, the truth is that I am very happy with Lautaro, he has been with us for a long time and he continues to show a great sense of connectedness. He is a reference point, the captain and you can see that he is very comfortable at the club. That reminds me of my beginning.
“I wish Lauti the very best, because he is a boy who deserves the effort he does, he always tries to help his teammates, people love him a lot, he is an example of a captain and I hope he can always get the chance to be in the elite and that he can win many titles with Inter.”
Do you see him having a similar career with yours in the future? Would you like that?
“I hope so, because my career here at Inter was very nice, because of how I lived it, how I felt it and because of what Inter means to me. I wish with all my heart that he can find all those feelings.”
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