“You always dream of scoring goals like that.” Five days on from Inter v AC Milan, Ezequiel Schelotto still smiles when he thinks about the joy he felt after his derby goal. The Argentine midfielder described what happened on this evening’s edition of Prima Serata, on Inter Channel.
“Everything went great and it was amazing to be able to share it all with my team-mates and family. I’ll never forget that moment. Yuto gave me a fantastic ball – he deserves half the credit for the goal,” Schelotto grinned as he spoke to Roberto Scarpini, who was asking him questions sent in by the fans.
“It was my dream to play for a big team like Inter. I’ve had to be very patient in my life and I still am now. I’ve worked extremely hard to get where I am. I’m delighted and now I hope to stay here. It’s similar to the joy I felt when I got my first Italy call-up. I’ll never forget making my debut against England.”
Asked about how he came to play for Italy, the wideman explained that “three years ago [Pierluigi] Casiraghi, who was the Italy Under-21 coach at the time, phoned me personally to ask if I could lend him a hand. Italy gave me a chance and I said yes. Then when Prandelli called me I went running. I’ve sweated for the Italy shirt and I always will.”
The conversation then returned to the excitement of the derby and the tears that filled his eyes after he’d scored: “I’ve had to work for everything I’ve achieved. I got emotional because I’d been through a tough time in my private life recently and there had been a lot of talk about it, including things that weren’t true. I’ve never come out and explained exactly what happened because I’m very reserved. I just kept going but my family suffered and I suffered too. Those tears were a way of releasing all sorts of feelings. I’m going through a wonderful period now, I’d like to stay at Inter for a long time and that’s what I’m working towards. And I’m going to bust a gut, me and my team-mates, to get Inter back into the Champions League where they belong.”
The Nerazzurri fans had plenty of questions for Ezequiel Schelotto, and some fans even wanted to know if the Nerazzurri player feels a bit like ‘the new Camoranesi’: “I’m not a big fan of comparisons, but Camoranesi is certainly a player that won a lot in his career, so why not?” smiled Ezequiel.
The discussion then turned to his role on the pitch. Does Schelotto feel ready to play as a full-back? “I have to work on the defensive end of my game. So far I’ve always operated from the midfield going towards the attack, but I’d have no problems doing it if I were needed.”
Then the programme took a look at Ezequiel’s career in Italy: “I spent two and a half fantastic years at Cesena, winning promotion twice: I started in C1 and made it to Serie A. I have a lot of friends there. Both the city and the team made a big impression on me. They’ll always have a place in my heart. Catania and ‘El Cholo’ Simeone? He was great, not only as a coach but also as a person. There were lots of Argentines there and I got on well. Then we achieved salvation two matches from the end, so I was glad. I spent a lovely year and a half in Bergamo, and it was there that I made it to the Azzurri’s first team. There were ups and downs, and I have nothing against the city and the fans, but because of some personal issues I needed a change of scenery.”
Inter will travel to Catania on Sunday, and Schelotto stated: “I repeat: I was received well and I still have many friends there. The friendships remain, but now I’m an Inter player. That team has been together for three years, and the same players always line up together. It’s a team that has grown year after year. They have good individuals and strong team play. We’re looking at a game that won’t be easy, but with the right kind of sharpness and ruthlessness we can beat them. Their fans will encourage them a lot but we’ll go there to play as we know how.”
Ezequiel Schelotto was asked about his boyhood idol during his appearance on Inter Channel’s Prima Serata. “It’s Javier Zanetti, it couldn’t be anyone else. He’s also my neighbour in Como. Zanetti is unique and he’s always giving me advice. All my team-mates help me, but he and Cambiasso more than anyone. They encourage me.”
Schelotto covered all sorts of topics during his chat with Roberto Scarpini, including his family heritage: “My great granddad was from Cogoleto. I haven’t been there yet. There’s a small plaque on the wall with my surname where he used to live. My family have been there and told me about it, I’d like to go myself one day.”
What does Ezequiel get up to away from the pitch? “I like tango, but I can’t dance it. I can dance reggaeton though, and I love Argentine cumbia. I go to the cinema quite a lot and I’ve got four dogs, all Cockers: Rolando, Reina, Fatiga and Rocky. I have some birds too, one of them is called Messi – he’s a canary. And I’ve got some fish as well. In Argentina I have a house with a park and that’s why I chose Como in Italy, so I could have a park here too. My dad loves gardening so he looks after it.”
Schelotto then explained that he’s called Eze by his family, although in football he’s more commonly known as El Galgo. “Yeah, that’s what they call me. Galgo was a nickname I picked up in the Banfield youth academy. I went for a trial when I was 13. I started running with the ball with this long stride, I had long hair and so I got nicknamed Galgo, which means greyhound. I spent five unforgettable years at Banfield.”
Finally, Schelotto made a promise. What will he do if Inter win a trophy? “There’s no way I’m touching my hair but I can shave off my goatee!” Eze has given his word.
Source: inter.it
