Legendary former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic gave an exclusive interview to the BBC speaking about a wide variety of subjects concerning the Nerazzurri.

“I have always followed Inter, against Lazio I was in the stadium, when I was talking about the anti-Juventus I was not crazy, Inter have players of the highest level in all departments.”

So what’s happened to Inter?

“I think it’s psychological. The team that put Juventus in difficulty in Turin in December is the same team as in January. I think the main reason is the transfer market, in particular for Perisic, Miranda and in some ways too Icardi: it is those who suffer, as I experienced the whistles against Perisic at San Siro.”

Do you think that the Croatian’s time is up?

“I know him, he’s a golden boy, sometimes you make a statement and you do not think about the consequences. I’ve been through a period like that, when Mancini was the coach, I was not fit and I received some jeers from San Siro, but the lad must be recovered, and the same goes for Nainggolan.”

He also missed the decisive penalty?

“I missed penalties too, it is not a big deal. Boskov used to say: only those who do not shoot are wrong, but we cannot punish Radja for missing, with all respect to the other midfielders, he is on another level from them.”

Ok. But how do you recover them?

“Do you know what I did? I lowered my head, I did not give up an inch and I carried on working hard. The concept is clear: if you are not 100%, leave 100% of what you have on the pitch, it will be enough for the fans to appreciate your efforts.”

It seems good advice for the fans as well.

“I was disappointed with Lazio because I felt tension at the stadium, so it’s not easy for a player but I understand the fans. After Sassuolo and Torino everybody wanted to go through and try to win the cup, but there is also the Europa League to play.”

In your opinion, do the choices on Spalletti’s bench also affect things?

“I’ve been in Italy for a lifetime, every year it’s the same situation, you have to be ready for the big teams, if you do not score 2-3 goals it’s normal to be questioned, coaches need to know. It also happened to Mourinho in the year of the Triplete.”

There are those who say that this locker room would benefit from having 3-4 of you from the Triplete squad?

“No one came in our dressing room, with all the respect of the managers, if we did not get stuck in, we lacked everything, but we told each other everything, face to face as teammates.”

You are the idol of Nicolo Barrella?

“I read that and I was pleased, I was the captain of Red Star at 18 years old. In Italy a young man can almost never impose himself, but he did it, he is already a leader, he has a bright future ahead of him and Maybe even at Inter.”