Branca: "Focused on ourselves"

MILAN - Inter technical director Marco Branca was interviewed this morning on Radio Rai programme Radio Anch'io Sport. This is what he had to say:

President Massimo Moratti said he's surprised the team has showed its strength so early in the season. Were you convinced this would happen?

"We always have great faith in our team and its character. In his surprise, I think our president was referring mainly to the team's good level of performance after the difficulties due to disqualifications in the Champions League and injuries in specific areas of the pitch. This is a compliment our president paid to the team because despite everything we are doing even better than last season."

In the first few rounds of the championship Inter were criticised after a few slip-ups. Roberto Mancini said the criticism was exaggerated. Has this criticism motivated the team?

"Roberto Mancini was completely right, and I say this without wanting to be self-pitying. Inter have always been criticised when things aren't going well and have always been praised when they are, without any real measure. Our players know this and they have changed their attitude towards the criticism, which is considered as a stimulus to do better."

Do you think Inter need another good midfielder to add to Cambiasso, Dacourt and Vieira to avoid the problems that injuries can bring?

"No, I don't think so. We have a lot of midfielders and let's not forget Javier Zanetti who is playing on the flank because of Maicon's disqualification in the league and the Champions League. And we also have Stankovic, Figo and Chivu who can play in midfield. We didn't want to have an overabundance and not give our players the chance to be present and useful, even in different positions."

Are Roma Inter's biggest rival for the Scudetto?

"We're only at the seventh round of the championship. There are still many matches to play and a lot of things can still happen. Roma are certainly among the teams who will be competing with us. There's Milan, who are a bit behind at the moment, Juventus, Roma, and maybe there will be a few surprise teams. We're pleased to be as competitive as we were last year and we're just thinking about ourselves."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in great form and everything he's doing is going well. Shouldn't he learn to do the easy things?

"No, I don't agree. Zlatan has improved a lot, showing great solidity from a tactical point of view. For example, when we were reduced to ten men in our last Champions League match he did a great job blocking and setting up moves as if he were a midfielder. I don't think you can take away from a solid player the pleasure of enjoying himself and trying spectacular plays."

In recent years Inter have brought in many great players on free transfers. However there are those who continue to say that you're good at dealing on the transfer market because you have more money than the other clubs. What do you think?

"It's true that we have the money, just like the other teams at our level. But it's also true that in the last few years we have brought in players like Cambiasso, Julio Cesar and Maxwell on free transfers. They are all lads of 26 and 27 who have been playing for us for two to three years. They are all gambles that have paid off thanks to the great teamwork, because it's not me alone who chooses which players to buy. We have chosen well and the players have given the perfect reply on the pitch. The last time we splashed out was for Ibrahimovic two years ago. We paid around twenty-five million euros. In terms of value for money, I don't think you can make any comparison with other players you see in Europe today."

How are Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira? Will they be ready after the break?

"I hope so. I think Patrick will be ready after the break but our coach will see how and when to use him. As for Marco we're doing everything possible to have him back as soon as possible, and I have to say that he is working really hard. However, we still have eight months of the season ahead of us and we don't want to risk any other injuries so we're doing things calmly."

The best thing about this Inter is the squad's harmony. Whoever plays gets into the match without needing time adapt. And last Saturday we saw this with Julio Cruz.

"I agree, but I wouldn't limit this consideration to Cruz. The club and coach have worked well over the years to create this harmony. For example, we can't forget how Toldo, Solari, Burdisso, Samuel and Crespo have behaved. They have always been at the service of the coach. This is because they're showing they want to win and they have realised that you can't always be a protagonist. They have respect for their own professionalism, and for the club."

Source: http://www.inter.it/