Inter defender Matteo Darmian has hit back at some recent rumours that the Nerazzurri players could be offered a cash bonus incentive to motivate them back into the Serie A top four race.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Benfica, as reported by FCInterNews, the 33-year-old stressed that the squad don’t need any extra motivation, and also looked ahead to tomorrow’s match.
Yesterday, a report emerged which suggested that Inter were considering taking the drastic step of offering the players cash bonus incentives to improve their sagging performances in Serie A, now that the team face a real scrap for a top four spot.
It didn’t take long for the club to deny this rumours, with it being reported that the Nerazzurri were annoyed at the suggestion that they might see such a step as necessary to get a squad which is already the second highest-paid in Serie A fired up for the task ahead.
For his part, Inter defender Darmian takes the same position, dismissing the very idea that the players might need to be offered some additional incentive to play at their best in Serie A.
“I don’t think we need an additional financial reward or anything like that,” the 33-year-old said in response to the idea of a cash bonus for top four, “we know how important it is for us to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League, we’ll do everything to achieve that.”
Of the team’s attitude behind the scenes, Darmian said that “We certainly have the desire to finish this last month of the season in the best way possible, we’re playing a lot of matches starting tomorrow night.”
“It’ll be a difficult month,” he predicted,d “we’re focused on tomorrow.”
“We’ve had a good run in the Champions League, if I have to choose a favourite moment in this competition, I’d pick the first leg against Barcelona.”
Regarding the discrepancy between Inter’s performances in Europe and in Serie A, the 33-year-old former Manchester United man admitted that “I don’t know, we know we’re not having our best moment in the league.”
“We can’t unlock matches or kill them off, and the points we’ve expected or deserved aren’t coming.”
“It’s a situation we want to change,” the defender added, “but tomorrow we play in the Champions League and we’re focused on that.”
“From Thursday on we’ll think about the league,” he said.
Asked if there’s a message that the team has for the fans, Darmian said that “There’s not much to say to our fans, they’ve always been behind us since the beginning of the season.”
“I’m sure they’ll support us again tomorrow, we want to give them something to cheer about.”
Of how he’s gotten himself into the form he is currently in, Darmian said that “There’s no secret to it, just a lot of work and a massive desire to improve day after day, I try to put onto the pitch what I do in training during the week.”
Asked if he thinks that the players are seeing the Champions League as a “showcase” to have their contracts extended, Darmian responded that “Having known my teammates for some years now, they’re not thinking about that.”
“They’re taking the pitch calmly, and giving everything for Inter.”
“All the contract situations will be dealt with at the end of the season,” Darmian added.
Asked about the importance of rest and rotation at this packed moment in the fixture calendar, the defender said that “After every match we try to recover, it’s not easy to play every three days but we’re professionals and we always try to give our best when called upon.”
Asked about the fitness of midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu for tomorrow’s match, Darmian replied that “He’s certainly doing well, but it’s not up to me to make selection decisions.”
“He’s important for us, he’s shown it this season and beyond,” he said of Calhanoglu.