In an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, legendary Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso spoke on a range of topics and firstly spoke on what it felt like in the dressing room prior to the Champions League final in 2010.
“Each of us knew what he had to do. Sometimes people think that the player must be psyched up, but self-determination should not be forgotten,” he began the interview.
“Our team had a crazy desire to do well, we had climbed many steps to get there. We were aware that we were ready and if you have a striker like Diego Milito who can score a brace in the final then it is even better.”
He was then asked what the secret of the treble winning Inter side was.
“Our team will be remembered as one who defended well but also as one who managed to score more goals in games against the likes of Barcelona. We knew how to attack.
“Thanks to the intelligence of the attackers like Milito, Eto’o, Pandev and Snejider we knew how to suffer, then they also knew how to make a difference.”
Next he went on to reveal what Jose Mourinho, who masterminded Inter’s treble win, gave him.
“The way to train. With Mourinho we adopted a way of training that required enormous intensity. Jose is a great communicator, but he is a very well prepared coach both from a technical and tactical point of view.”
Cambiasso was then asked if he thinks Milito should have won the Balon d’Or in 2010 for his performances for Inter in the treble winning season.
“I would say yes for what he did and for how he decided the Coppa Italia, the scudetto and the Champions League.”
Next he gave his opinion on Inter striker Lautaro Martinez.
“He is a striker who can still grow and we still don’t know the ceiling that he has because he is always adding something to his game. Many teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid want him whilst Inter want to keep him.”
Cambiasso then shared his views on reports that Inter players are willing to take pay cuts for the remainder of the season.
“The situation is serious, we hope it can be resolved soon with the least number of deaths possible. The cutting of salaries becomes almost logical, knowing Samir Handanovic and the manager I know they would prefer that these events remain private.
“It seems to me to be a very good idea to get together and talk about the salaries but I think it is better if these events remain private.”
Cambiasso, who spent a total of 10 years on Inter’s books between the years 2004 and 2014, concluded by giving his verdict on Inter’s season.
“It has been a positive season, if it ends and it will still be positive if it does not. Solid foundations are being laid to do even better.”