Inter captain Samir Handanovic discussed Inter’s season so far as well as how it feels to be the club’s captain in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia today.
“Being captain of Inter is a responsibility of which I am very proud. I try to respect it in my own way, on and off the pitch. This is a squad that makes me proud, which started working together in China about six months ago, with a new philosophy brought in by Conte. You can see progress, we have improved in many things and we still have ample room for growth. I see a lot of willingness, we think as one and that’s important.”
The 35-year-old Slovenian goalkeeper then spoke about the squad’s ambition.
“We have the duty, the will and the ambition to win. But then there are many things that pass in between. The team is making progress and our growth path is evident. It is fundamental to have a common cause.”
“The respect of teammates is earned only on the pitch, you don’t necessarily have to be friends to get along. The important thing is to get along well on the pitch and respect each other on there.”
He touched on how it felt to work with coach Antonio Conte.
“I think I understand why he always manages to do a great job wherever he goes. He expects a lot from himself first, before others. And you see him on the pitch every day. And then all he cares about is the game, nothing else, not even newspapers. And he values everyone’s sacrifice.”
Handanovic revealed which games he thought were the most important so far this season.
“I can choose one, to relive and forget: the Dortmund game, which gave us awareness but also brought to light some defects. And that’s when it became clear to us that there is still work to be done.”
“The same goes for the Barcelona game. The Champions League group stages gave us awareness but also left us with an open wound and a lot of anger.”
The Inter captain also gave some personal thoughts.
“Moments of awareness and maturity. I’m always trying to improve myself, to look at myself and to work. The passing of years hasn’t changed me too much and I don’t have any big regrets, maybe reproaches.”
“I can only be proud of what my parents taught me, of what they passed on to me like values of ethics and work. And I, with my wife, try to do the same with my children.”
He spoke about the strong attacking partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.
“I really expected to see them play so well. And now we’re also waiting for Alexis Sanchez, another important player we’ve missed.
Finally, Handanovic revealed what would make him satisfied at the end of the season.
“If we give everything as a team. Scudetto? You all want us to say this word. It’s easy to talk about, but then you have to see what’s behind it. We have to work hard and sacrifice more than the others. We’re a work in progress, as they say in England. That’s it and I finish here.”
