Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani is glad to be at the same club as Marcelo Brozovic, and feels that there is a lot he can learn from his fellow midfielder.

Speaking in the official matchday program for Inter’s Serie A clash with Spezia this evening, the 20-year-old praised Brozovic who he wants to model improvements to his game upon, and also listed AC Milan and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo and Nerazzurri treble winner Wesley Sneijder among players who inspire him.

Asllani joined Inter from Empoli this summer and he has been specifically identified as the man to back up Brozovic in the squad, with the Croat a vital part of the team’s engine room who never really had a stylistically apt deputy last season.

When the Albanian steps in for Brozovic he will have big shoes to fill, but the club appear to be ready to place their faith in Asllani despite his young age.

For his part, Asllani is grateful for the experience to play alongside a player of Brozovic’s quality in his position, and feels that he is in an environment where he can grow as a player.

“There are many people who have contributed to my growth, and enriched my life,” the midfielder reflected.

“My family first of all,” he named, “and then the people I’ve been fortunate to have the chance to work with on the pitch, coaches like Andreazzoli who gave me confidence and the opportunity to express myself, Romagnoli who was a point of reference for me, and Samir Ujkani who has always given me a lot of help.”

“Now I’m fortunate to play with Brozovic,” he added, “who is a player I can learn a lot from.”

Regarding his inspirations as a player, Asllani stated that he has “Never had an idol, but I’ve admired several players for their attitude and technique, from Sneijder to Pirlo.”

“The most important piece of wisdom that I carry with me is to always remain humble, with feet firmly fixed to the ground,” he noted.

The Albanian then spoke about his goal for Empoli against Inter last season, recalling that “The most important goal I’ve scored so far was the one  against Inter at San Siro last season.”

“Now I’m at this team, so it’s certainly a strange thing, but that goal is part of the path that brought me this far,” he noted.

“My first [friendly] goal with Inter, however, came against Monaco,” he then said, “that goal also felt incredible. I went to the goalkeeper’s left after he moved, and then I got to enjoy the reaction from the crowd. As an Interista hearing my name chanted was an incredible feeling.”