Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti believes the UEFA Champions League semi-final tie against arch-rivals Milan will not serve as a match for revenge, having tasted defeat each time they met in the top-tier tournament before. Additionally, he urged the Nerazzurri to focus on securing a top-four spot as Serie A descends into the business end of the season.
Speaking to Radio Nerazzurra (via FCInterNews), Zanetti relished his side’s progression into the UCL final four.
“We are all happy. We gave all the fans a Champions League evening thanks also to a fantastic atmosphere at San Siro. The boys gave us this joy, which is a very important goal for us.”
Milan and Inter met four times before in the UCL, first in the 2002/03 semis, before the 2004/05 quarters. The Rossoneri ran out winners on both occasions, but Zanetti thinks the Nerazzurri shouldn’t overstep given the tasks at hand.
“The derby is always an important and special match. But first there will be five fundamental matches – the hope is to win them all. In the league, we have an objective that is too important, such as qualifying for the next season’s Champions League. It happened twenty years ago, so it won’t be a revenge, but first we need to think about the championship because we have a pivotal goal to achieve which is within our reach.”
Zanetti also took the chance to reminisce his career.
“My best moment is undoubtedly that night in Madrid. Fortunately, there are many beautiful occasions to remember: the final in the UEFA Cup in 1998, my first trophy won; Diego Milito’s goal against Siena, which allowed me to make history as Inter’s treble-winning captain.”
The Nerazzurri first travel to Empoli in Serie A, before facing Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final on April 26. They then face Lazio, Hellas Verona and Roma in quick succession, before playing as visitors to Milan at the San Siro in the UCL semi-final first leg.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |