So the turn has come for Rodrigo Palacio to be a guest on Inter Nos on Inter Channel. Palacio replied to questions sent in by fans after a video was played where Diego Milito sent his best wishes from Argentina to his good friend.
Do you speak often to Milito?
“We speak often, more often during the week. We all miss him here, he was very important. In the dressing room he was a strong person, but he’s happy at Racing where he is a symbol.”
Which of your goals do you think was the most beautiful goal you ave ever scored in an Inter shirt?
“The one against Bologna in the Coppa Italia. I scored with a shot from outside the area. I’m also a team player, if a team mate is in a better position to shoot, I always look for him. The goal in the derby was the most important. It was a derby, in the last minute…it was incredible. I managed to score in that way thanks to instinct, I’ve never scored a goal like that before but I felt that it was the right moment.”
What do you think about the match against Napoli?
“We didn’t play well, then we were down by a goal and we were also down to ten men and we tried to come back on top. We showed our personality, even if we lost. Higuain is a player that makes the difference, always. He’s similar to Milito in that way that they both make the difference.”
How do you feel with Mancini?
“He’s a very capable coach, great tactically and he teaches us a lot. I have never had any problems with any coaches.”
How much do you want to stay at Inter?
“My contract expires in June, we have to talk with the club. I want to stay another year in Italy and then return to Argentina.”
Are you friends with Emanuel Ginobili [San Antonio Spurs], who comes from the same city as you?
“He is an idol for the kids, every now and again we go to dinner and talk. He’s a historic person, the most loved person from Bahia Blanca. In my city, football and basketball go hand in hand. Aside from Manu, there’s also Bruno Cerella here in Milano who’s a basketball player, I go to the Forum to watch him play with Olimpia.”
What adjective would you use to describe your fellow attackers in the team?
“I like how Perisic runs away from his man, making a double-pass. Ljajic is very technical and agile, whilst Icardi is very strong inside the penalty area. A true goalscorer. Jovetic is the best attacker in the team, he knows how to shoot or make assists. Manaj? He has shown that he has personality and character, he is still very young but has everything you need to break through.”
How do you value your experiences playing with the Argentinian national team?
“Playing in the national team is difficult, especially when you’re a striker. I haven’t played a lot even though in the last World Cup I was in the best moment of my career. I’m sorry that I injured myself in the last friendly before the tournament, I tried a lot but I wasn’t able to have a good World Cup.”
What do you think about this Inter?
“We don’t know where we could finish up, we want to win the Scudetto. We have a great squad, we’re difficult to play against. We have to increase our confidence and faith match by match, it’s nice that Mancini continues to change things around whilst the results don’t change. We are lucky to only play in two tournaments and we have to take advantage of it in the best way.”
If we win the Scudetto will you cut off your pony tail? “Yes, I said it last year that if we really win, I’ll do it.”
What do you remember from the match against Verona where you ended up playing in goal?
“I didn’t want to go in goal but Stramaccioni told me to do so because he knew that I have played basketball and so he thought I was good with my hands [laughs]. Fortunately it went well, I made a great save, and my teammates complimented me.”
Besides football and basketball, do you have any other passions?
“No, I play only football and basketball. When I return to Argentina, I’d like to become the Director of my hometown basketball team, in Bahia Blanca where my brother is already the President. I always watch the NBA, the EuroLeague and the Argentinian league.”
Is it true that you never get angry when you don’t play?
“No, I grumble a little bit [laughs]. It’s normal, no-one wants to sit on the bench, and if you’re sitting there it is for a reason. It’s difficult to come in from the bench when there is little time left in a match. It’s better to play from the start for me. When you come-on it’s difficult to be calm, you have to demonstrate to the coach that you can play. Even when playing only four minutes, I give everything I have. I don’t like playing one or two minutes, but it’s got to be done. And I want to improve.”
What does the ponytail mean and how long have you had it?
“I’ve had it for fourteen years. I liked the idea and so I did it, but I didn’t have the faintest idea that it would become a sign of recognition in the way it has.”
What effect has watching Messi growing up footballing-wise, had on you?
“I’ve seen him with Argentina ever since he was a kid, seventeen-eighteen years old. You could see that he had something different from everyone else, he was much better than everyone else. Now he’s a complete player, incredible.”
When you’re in a pre-match camp or in a training camp, how do you pass the time? Do you also play Playstation with Juan Jesus?
“We challenge each other in video games. Juan Jesus is very good at the football games but I prefer the racing ones, I compete a lot with Carrizo, we’re both MotoGP enthusiasts. We do everything together, it’s three years that we are room-mates. Maybe I watch a film, then there is always the classical card games.”
What do you remember from your experience with Genoa?
“I had three wonderful years in Genoa, it’s the team that opened the doors for me to Italian football. From that team only Perin remains, when I was there I used to play as the third keeper. Now, however, I’m playing for Inter and I want to win, I will give by all for this shirt. We don’t want to give up, we want to win immediately to continue on the right path. They know each other inside out and can play of by heart, it will be difficult because they will defend but they also think about attacking.”
Source: FCInterNews.it
