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RANIERI AT GAZZETTA: COMEBACK? I KNOW HOW!

"You will see how Sneijder will give us the light."
"We're old? There are teams with players that are older than mine."

"I don't live in envy and jealousy.  Statue for each Mourinho and Herrera."

EVERYTHING ABOUT RANIERI'S INTER

"We, with Sneijder, would have no limits.  And there are older teams than us..."

The coach, guest in Gazzetta, tells about his first few days with Inter, stings Milan and discusses Juve: "Other than Poulsen, I wanted Eto'o."

Milan - Ranieri, now you can finally say: how different is this team with the view from the inside?

"Not at all different from one that I saw from the outside."

Now there is you in it.  Didn't you ask why not in the summer?

"No, Moratti did not ask for me.  We have known each other for many years and we saw a derby next to each other."

What do you want from your team?

"I want grit on the field from my team.  Wanting grit from the players is just a normal thing.  Those that played against me knew that before the fight, they had to go through my body."

Ah, so that's why you were so mad at Rocchi.

"We are like a balance scale and a balance scale loves justice.  It was not about his mistakes but more about the attitude."

What is the goal of Inter?

"To make people dreaming again.  For me, the teams to beat are Milan and Inter.  Behind us there are Juventus and Napoli.  However, we have to regain possession of this role because I remain convinced that we can still win the Scudetto.  We are lagging behind and we must launch ourselves back up.  How can I give limits to a team that won everything two years ago and still is the world champion?"

Are you looking at the table to see how you can come back?

"I never look at the table that way.  I just want three points in each game."

Does it require some similarities with the comeback of Roma on this Inter a few years ago?

"I see the same desire to escape from a difficult situation.  The players are following my way and I feel strongly that they strongly want it."

And who can be your Totti?

"Sneijder is one that lights up everything in the team.  When he plays, things can happen and that he can also solve the game."

And Maicon?
"The guys know that if he is there, on the right, there is a train that passes with force."

Alvarez, slowly, but is still going right?

"He, just like Coutinho or Zarate, does things in practice that sometimes are jaw-dropping: these guys must be given time.  Alvarez was accustomed to certain type of football and I think he still is while our football is a bit faster.  I will balance his appearances and to him, my reproaches will not fail."

And Zarate?

"He makes one great play then tends to take a breather.  If I can find the key to get him keep always attacking..."

And Forlan?

"The Forlan in Bologna, who was free to roam as he pleased, I really like that one."

Inter are a bit worn-out: an excessive fear?

"I am like Saint Thomas.  I have to touch things to see how they do.  I have touched it and perhaps it is the most surprise thing to me to see how valuable these so called old players, to see how they move, and how they speak to younger players.  They are primarily a legacy of this club."

But if you are losing in a derby, would you take Zanetti and Cambiasso out like you did with De Rossi and Totti?

"If we lost a derby, they would still be in there.  However, if I think there is something the team needs then I would do it."

So you might consider resting Zanetti at times, even if no other coach has stopped him before?

"Maybe sometimes, but generally I feel the players are physically well. Average age? I believe its worse for other teams..."

Alluding to Milan?

"This is what you said."

But if Juventus, Napoli and Udinese continue this run?

"I don't think they have the energy to continue doing what they've done: without illusion and delusion, I believe and I hope."

Maybe with a little help from the transfer market in January?
"There are still three months and for now, I only kind of glance at it but I am not really interested in it that much.  Kucka?  Last year, he did very well.  I don't know if he can repeat because in his head, he is already here in Milan.  However, it is useful to think who could come to this team.  The great strength for Barcelona is this: it's Puyol who won the Champions League and gave his flank to Abidal."

Will Ranieri invent something to leave his mark on this team?

"Not immediately.  First, I have to be normalized.  Then maybe I will put a little something of my own, a variable that can change things up.  But I don't know when."

And in the meantime?

"Tactically, the road is this: 4-4-2 with the variable of a diamond midfield.  But, for example, allowing 11 goals in 5 league games is just too many.  I have always considered the idea of a high defensive line but wishes are one thing, the chances of this team can actually do it is another."

Other priorities?
"Organization and the right distances between the departments on the field.  There are four but in my football, they must move like one solo man so that we get tired less and make difficulties for others.  Then, we retrieve important players like Sneijder, Thiago Motta and Stankovic and if possible, I hope we can avoid further injuries.  My prevention is simple: little gym and a lot of work with the ball because the muscles and brains must work together.  We are not some machines."

Those are the principles that are dearly to Mourinho, but is it true that his shadow is still floating around Pinetina?
"I do not live in jealousy or envy.  I believe that Mourinho and Herrera should have their statues next to the one of Angelo Moratti at Pinetina.  Shame to those who forget the history of this team."

Have you heard from him?

"Not directly but after the victory in Moscow, he called the team manager Butti to congratulate everyone."

But it's true that, like Benitez said, Moratti does everything at Inter?

"I haven't noticed that.  But Benitez was thinking maybe that Italian clubs function like those in England where the president is only seen once in a blue moon."

And is it true that Montali will soon follow you to Milan?

"Eh no.  If nothing else, it is for good luck.  He was with me at Juventus and they sacked me.  He came to Roma and they sacked me.  If he comes, I am going to ask Moratti for the severance..."

About Juve, October 29 is near...

"I know.  Inter-Juve will be special.  Even for me because I know what it means because I was on both sides of the fence."

But how many Scudetti do Juve have?  27 or 29?

"The cover of this pot should be close because more and more things you add into it, it will be more smelly.  And I don't want to tell the truth of what happened between me and Juve.  It is best to avoid it.  I would only say that they sent me away because of the players that I wanted such as Poulsen, and the recent statement about Eto'o which about how I really wanted to have him..."

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport