Former Inter striker Ivan Zamorano has opened up about his memories of playing for the Nerazzurri, including his friendship with former midfielder Diego Simeone and the dramatic climax of the 1997-98 season.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS in an interview published in today’s print edition, the Chilean gave his view that the 1997-98 season should have rightly been won by the Nerazzurri when he played for them.
Zamorano joined Inter in the summer of 1996 from Real Madrid, and the 54-year-old’s two former clubs are set to face off this weekend as they open their Champions League campaign with a clash at the Giuseppe Meazza.
The former striker reflected on some of his successes with the Nerazzurri, although he still feels disappointed with the outcome of the 1997-98 Serie A season, when he believes that his team ought to have claimed the Scudetto over the Bianconeri but were robbed of the title in an important head-to-head match.
Of current Atletico Madrid manager Simone he said, “We were roommates and he talked to you about football all day. You can’t imagine the intensity. He would come into the room and tell you how we should play. He used his glasses and everything that was handy to explain how to operate on the pitch.”
“I also liked to talk about movies, fashion, cars,” Zamorano went on, “but he only talked about football. He explained to us some strategies that today are reflected in a football philosophy that in has been seen over the long run at Atletico.”
He went on, “When you think of a coach who leaves his mark, this is Cholo. He has developed an idea and transformed a team that was without an identity when he arrived and is now a winning team with a very clear philosophy.”
“This is extraordinary,” he said, “It’s the hardest thing. As a player he was the kind of footballer you always wanted to have on your team – physical, courageous, determined.”
“If my four years at Madrid were wonderful, those at Inter were no less,” Zamorano reflected on his career. |It was a very South American team, everything revolved around cheerfulness, jokes.”
He continued, “During my second season we won the UEFA Cup against Lazio in Paris and I scored the first goal. We also won the Scudetto, even if Juventus stole it. Then it turned out that in that decisive match the referee was bought.”
Lastly, the Chilean spoke about the upcoming match between Inter and Real Madrid, stating that “They both have to get through. My heart is asking for a draw in the two games, but my mind says that Real will win at the Bernabeu and Inter at San Siro. And I also hope and believe that they will both fight for their respective leagues.”
