Felipe Melo spoke in length to FCInterNews.it on his time at Inter amongst other Inter related topics: “For me, the arrival at Inter was the realisation of a dream, I wanted to wear that shirt for many years. Even from the days of Mourinho, who had tried to get me. But you never know how life can go, things change quickly and there are no certainties. I played for other top teams and in other countries like Turkey, but in the end fortunately I managed to arrive at Inter. This is what matters and that to me is important. Unfortunately I only spent half a year at Inter, too little. The owners have changed and it is normal to focus more on young people. I’m not sorry to have arrived in Milan at age 31, not at all. I made my journey that has allowed me to grow a lot, including an experience at Juventus which for me was important.”
Melo then spoke on Roberto Mancini and what might have been: “Inter would be in the Champions League if Mancini never went. And there are no doubts, I say 100%. Roberto is Inter through and through, the Nerazzurri world knows that very well and he was definitely the best coach for our team. Last summer was special: everybody remembers the blows we took during pre-season, we spent more time on aeroplanes than on the field working. When talking to the players of PSG and Bayern Munich and explaining our situation, they did not believe all of this, these great logistical difficulties. Mancini was very angry about these issues. There was so much confusion. I repeat, the coach was perfect for us. And the season without him we all know how it went…”
The Brazilian midfielder then discussed his relationship with Frank de Boer, who succeeded Mancini: “I do not like talking about the professional De Boer, I prefer not to. I will just say that with him I always did my job, giving 100% for Inter. Honestly. De Boer gave me little space, even though during his tenure I trained and worked even more than normal. Then when he left, with Pioli I had my chance. He gave me another chance and I think I have answered on the field. We brought home a lot of matches, losing very little. I am satisfied with my performance. The little space was De Boer’s choice, but he still has my respect.”
Melo then gave his views on how Inter can return to being competitive: “Now it’s up to owners, who must take the right players for this Inter. But remember that money is not everything: if a player is bought for 70 to 80 million euro and the team struggles, it normal for him to be ‘sucked’ in to the general difficulties. It is not his fault.”
Gabriel Barbosa was the next topic Melo discussed: “Unfortunately Gabriel arrived in Milan in a difficult moment for Inter, who had not won and has not won for so many years. The club must believe in him. Otherwise you run the risk of repeating the mistake made with Coutinho. In Milan, he has said little. Come on, please….it takes a little intelligence, otherwise then you cry if Gabriel becomes strong in other teams. We’re talking about a 20 year old boy who has yet to get used to the Italian world, because in Brazil it’s all different. For me he is very strong and he has already shown that in Brazil, both with Santos and with the Brazilian national team.”
Source: FCInterNews.it
