Former Inter defender Francesco ‘Ciccio’ Colonnese has admitted that he is happy with how things are currently going as part of an interview with Italian news outlet PassioneInter.com.
“Everything is fine, we are happy if Inter win, so everything is fine,” he said.
“I am happy with the affection shown to me, Inter was the dream of my life. The Inter I played in was a spectacular Inter. There were many champions and I was a simple, normal player. Arriving here was joy, on the field field I gave all of myself and more.”
He then spoke on former Inter manager Luigi ‘Gigi’ Simoni and recalled when the late Simoni was sacked.
“We weren’t in the locker room when he was sacked. Some of us were in a group in the centre of Milan, it was Monday afternoon and at 3pm we were notified by Simoni’s wife who surprisingly had received the news that Gigi had been sacked.
“We couldn’t believe it and we thought we’d try and change the president’s mind. The news had been made official and the new coach was signed and it was difficult.
“Moratti gathered us in one of his offices and explained why, we were disappointed. The president himself, for whom we have affection, said it was one of the biggest mistakes in his management to send him away.”
Colonnese then recalled Inter’s team in 1998 and admitted that he and teammates never realised how good they actually were at the time.
“Inter in 1998 were very strong because we were united on and off the pitch. It was a shame not to have been lucky enough to win the Scudetto.
“That team could have opened a winning cycle and become a top team. Inter wanted to keep winning and it was a shame not to be able to do so. Looking back at the games, I realised we were even stronger than we understood. There was a union and a really beautiful strength.”
He was then asked which of the players he played alongside at Inter he would choose to include in today’s Inter and spoke on the 3-5-2 system Inter use.
“I wouldn’t know about my Inter. Conte’s Inter is very similar, the 3-5-2 system makes the team stronger. When we wanted to try to change for Eriksen or for others, it showed.
“With 3-5-2 Inter are strong. The players who could be fundamental for Conte now could be Zanetti, who brought us a lot of added value and the right balance.
“In this Inter I would see Zanetti and Simeone well in the three in midfield. This Inter is missing a few more goals from the midfielders. I think Simeone would fit perfectly.”
He then spoke on which of the current Inter players he would have liked alongside him in his Inter.
“I would have liked to have Bastoni in the three man defence because we didn’t have a left footed player. Galante and Taribo were strong, but we didn’t have a natural left footer.
“Bastoni has made some big defensive improvements, he is more mean and aggressive. He has to keep this aggression and keep his concentration high from this point of view. He has had excellent progression, but he has to be even more aggressive and has taken a big step forward from this point of view.”
Next Colonnese proceeded to discuss whether the past two wins can represent a turning point for Conte’s Inter, who did not start the 2020/21 season how they were expected to.
“I hope this is the case. I don’t speak as a fan, I say it objectively. For me, Inter are very strong, they have everything. The forwards do it all. The midfielders are quality. There are lots of defenders and wing-backs, the goalkeeper is very good and so is the coach.
“The team is strong and must understand it. You have to always win, you have to win 10 games because you can do it.
“At the beginning of the season, Inter had more problems than they should have had. Inter were aggressive against Sassuolo and forced their opponents into making mistakes. The same happened against Borussia, they put them in difficulty.
“Inter are very strong and must understand this in their minds. They must not make a mistake, or at least do it when the match is brought home, but not at the start and go two goals behind.”
Colonnese then went on to sing the praises of Inter striker Romelu Lukaku who has been in sensational form this season scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances.
“I knew him well already and I didn’t think he was so strong. Now he’s doing really well, he’s a team player.
“Champions must always make a difference and must continue to do so. Inter believed in him, but especially Conte, we must give him credit.
“Lukaku is one of the strongest forwards alongside the likes of Ibrahimovic and Lewandowski.”
Colonnese then spoke on his former Inter teammate Ronaldo.
“He had a technique superior to others and the happiness of a superior soul. He was always calm, he always said I’ll take care of it.
“Before the UEFA Cup final he said we would take the cup home. In the match in Turin he was the only one to say that it was a shame how they had robbed us. Ours is the real Ronaldo. He made us have fun and made us all famous. He said he had a team accompanying him, he felt like a Phenomenon and he was.”