In a long interview with Walter Zenga, published in the Gazzetta dello Sport, L’Uomo Ragno (Spiderman), as he was called when he was at Inter, spoke on many topics and, of course, Inter.
Hello Zenga, all is well in the Al Nasr?
“No,it’s bad.”
What has happened?
“I’m pissed. We have just returned from Iran after losing 0-3 in qualification round for the Champions League. I’m really angry.”
Here it is Catania-Inter on Sunday: You are a former Inter player and supporter, but also a former coach of the Sicilian club. The team from Etna is high in the table: are you surprised?
“Not at all. The season when I got there (April 2008 ed.) We reached salvation in the last round, the season after we secured a new contract with seven rounds remaining. It’s a good organization there and these are the years when they do good things. The secret? They have a spectacular training centre: Torre del Grifo. It is one of many consequences of a club that makes sure that everyone, and I mean everyone, is able to always give 100%.”
Catania is doing well this year: it is dependent on having a core of players who have been together for a long time or the coaches that passed by?
“The latter, as each coach has brought its own characteristics to a healthy environment. Then, the core you’re talking about is an important factor, having many Argentines is valuable. The most valuable, however, is once again the club: Pulvirenti is a person who protects you to the end, and that allows you to work well and I am sorry that I argued with Lo Monaco.”
Are you sorry you’re not still with Catania?
“No, I have maintained a superb relationship with the club. At the time, I found that it was right to make a change.”
With Palermo, the rivals…
“Let me clarify: I had to go to another team in Serie A, that was already a fact. Then I waited and I waited and Palermo offered me a coaching job and I went there. The fact remains that I love Sicily and what I miss is having Pulvirenti next to me on the bench: an amazing person.”
More than, equal to or less fantastic than Moratti?
“How should I say this… I’ve never worked with Moratti, either as a player (Zenga left Inter in 1994, Moratti arrived 1995 ed.), Or as a coach. The presidents I have the strongest ties with are Pulvirenti and Stojkovic in the Red Star.”
This is how it is at Inter, as it read on a banner: “This is misery.”
“Even I suffer a little… When I stand in front of the TV to see my favorite team, I’m like an ultra. I transform. But I want to emphasize one thing: Inter do what they do and I do not think anyone could believe that they could make a push for the title when the season began. It takes time.”
Even after the victory at Juventus Stadium?
“If Inter had taken six points against Siena, who knows… The victory in Turin? Sometimes the results may be masking. Inter are rebuilding and developing.”
To end up where?
“Earlier this year I said Juve in first place, Napoli second and Inter third. According to me, it will still end up that way.”
Stramaccioni and the suffering: Zenga as coach of Inter.
“Strama is good, well-educated. Age does not matter, it is the knowledge of the job that counts. Obviously it would be a dream to coach the team in my heart, but in life there are moments and events that are related and I have not got stuck in any of them. Also, I feel good here and my contract expires 2014.”
Back to reality: how will Catania-Inter finish?
“As an Interista I can never think that Inter can not win all the games. Catania, however is playing well, they are calm, well-educated and strong. Probably, like any Inter Supporter, I find it hard to say ‘Inter will win.’ Therefore… to get out of a predicament, I hope both teams can find what they are looking for, that is the Champions League and Europa League.”
Handanovic and Andujar: rating without having made any saves.
“Samir is probably one of the best goalkeepers in the world. A good choice. Andujar? He’s the Handa of Catania and is a great investment that worked out.”
Have you taught your players in the United Arab Emirates to pull down the shorts at free kicks as well?
“First of all, neither I nor my colleagues have ever taught anyone to cheat. That time (Catania-Turin) Plasmati got the idea to extend his shorts and ended up pulling them down a bit too much. Then, Mascara’s free kick would have been reached the net no matter what.”
What would you be curious to see the Inter-Catania?
“One thing, an end in itself: I am saying that there are no bad Italian coaches. It would be nice to see Strama on the bench in Catania and Maran at Inter. How would it finish?”
Source. fcinternews.it
