Inter midfielder Arturo Vidal spoke about his arrival at the Nerazzurri, coach Antonio Conte, his teammates and the season so far in an interview in today’s paper edition of the Rome based newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
First, he explained why he joined the Milanese club this summer.
“Because there is a serious project and a coach who always wants to win. Last year the team was strong and close to winning the Europa League thanks to ‘hungry’ players.
“The squad has everything to achieve something important and now I’m here too.”
The Chilean touched on how he was clearly wanted by the Nerazzurri in the summer of 2019 but why he did not join until this summer transfer window.
“In Barcelona I was fine, there was a nice squad there, with teammates who have become more than friends. When you are happy, you want to stay where you are.
“After that things changed and I made the decision to come here. I am so hungry to win the league and the dream of winning the Champions League.”
Vidal revealed how important coach Antonio Conte was for his decision to join Inter.
“I am here especially for him. We spent three years together at Juventus, we won and that was an unforgettable experience.
“He wanted me, we talked a lot last summer and both he and the club did their best to make me come to Inter.”
He touched on which teammates have surprised him the most so far.
“Hakimi, Lukaku, Lautaro. Here they are all very strong and also young. If they learn from the coach, we’ll take the satisfaction.”
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder thought that Romelu Lukaku would be able to win the capocannoniere award this season.
“Yes, in my opinion he can. Romelu is really top.”
Vidal was not concerned about the criticisms that he has received since signing for the Nerazzurri.
“For me they are a stimulus, but many times I hear and read meaningless criticism. In football, when a player has a good match, he becomes a champion, while if a champion doesn’t do well in a match, he is suddenly considered poor.
“Some judgments do not interest me, I have been playing football at the highest level for 15 years and I know how things go. It’s normal for everyone to talk about me and criticize me, but I am very calm and I try to do well what the coach asks.”
He commented on how Conte has pushed him further back down the pitch, in a slightly more defensive role.
“It’s a new position because I have always played further ahead to exploit my characteristics. Now the team needs to have more behind, to help the defense.
“There will also come a time when I will go back to scoring goals. I have always scored in my career and I will also succeed at Inter.”
The Chilean spoke about his current form and if it can improve.
“I feel pretty good and so far, I have played almost always, but I can do more. I want to be important for the team.”
He did not think that Conte is a different coach at Inter compared to the one he was at Juventus.
“No, he’s the same as he was at Juventus. He loves football, he makes you feel it and transmits his passion and his desire to win.”
Vidal touched on how the 51-year-old Italian coach does not treat him any differently in the locker room.
“He gets very angry if you make a mistake and says it to your face, in front of everyone.”
The former Juventus midfielder confirmed that Conte was the coach that he has the best relationship with.
“Yes, even though I have had others with whom I have had good times. With Conte, however, we are at our second experience together and I feel wonderful.”
He was disappointed with the team’s slightly poor start to the season.
“We deserved more points for the way we’ve played. Much more. Without certain mistakes we would have won them all.”
Vidal expressed his disappointments at the team’s losses to AC Milan in the derby and Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“For both. Real are one of the strongest teams in the world, but we played them face to face and that’s good. Disappointed for the result.
“However, let’s not forget that Inter had the strength to come back from 2-0 to 2-2 and were close to winning. If we put some things in place, we will get the results out of it.”
He was confident that the team would be able to progress to the next round of the competition.
“Yes, we have a lot of confidence and I am convinced that we will go on. So far we have dropped 2-3 points on the road and we have to get them back.”
He did not want to talk about the Scudetto.
“I am not afraid to pronounce that word because I have won a lot in my career and I came here to Inter to continue to do so. I am convinced that we will be able to raise an important trophy.”
Vidal still thought that Juventus were the favourites to win the league title this season.
“Yes. The number one favorite.”
The Chilean spoke about Juventus’ decision to appoint Andrea Pirlo as their head coach.
“I’m glad he started like that. Andrea is a good guy and we have been in touch during these years. We have a good relationship.”
The Inter midfielder touched on how it will feel to face Juventus this season.
“A bit strange, but I will always give my best for the team that has done everything to have me. I am one who always leaves my heart on the field and I will do it both against Juventus and against the other opponents we will face.”
He did not want to discuss how it felt when his Bayern Munich side were knocked out of the Champions League by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid.
“That’s water under the bridge. I aim to beat whatever lineup I have in front of me, to be the best. Regardless of the opponent’s name.”
The Chilean thought that Lionel Messi was better than Ronaldo.
“There is no comparison. Messi is from another planet.”
Vidal discussed his relationship with the Argentinian star.
“Of the two years I spent with him, many things remained in my heart. A beautiful friendship was born between us, a relationship that will remain forever. When a person like Messi writes you certain words, many things pass in your head.
“We will be united for life. Even when I left Juventus and Bayern, however, I received words of affection from other former teammates. I am not only Leo’s friend!”
He does not know what the future will hold for Messi.
“I do not know. I hope that he is happy and that he makes every decision with his heart.”
He joked about the idea of Messi joining him in Milan.
“I don’t know, let’s see. I’m here!”
Vidal touched on tomorrow’s league clash against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta.
“Yes and it won’t be easy. Atalanta and Napoli are the teams that I have liked the most so far. Atalanta maybe leaves some space, but it expresses an intense and beautiful soccer.
“The results of recent years leave no doubt.”
The Chilean joked about some things that he would have done differently early in his career, referring to his off the pitch discipline issues.
“Everything, everything! Now I’m older and I’m focused on the pitch and giving it my all. When I’m young, sometimes a few mistakes happened.”
Finally, Vidal spoke about if he would shave his head should the Nerazzurri win the league title.
“No, my hair will not to be touched. Perhaps at the end of my career. But not now, it’s part of my way of being. On the field and off.”
