Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan feels the team are only more motivated to win after the disappointment of losing the Champions League final against Manchester City in June.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the Nerazzurri’s win over Monza this evening, via FCInterNews, the Armenian reacted to the opening day victory and also gave his thoughts on the controversial Romelu Lukaku situation.
Inter have had a chaotic summer, to put it mildly.
The emotional rollercoaster began after the Nerazzurri were left dealing with the disappointment of a narrow defeat in the Champions League.
And all through the summer, there have been numerous transfer sagas. Perhaps the most high-profile of them was that surrounding striker Lukaku.
The Belgian had looked for some time like he would return to Inter from Chelsea.
But the Nerazzurri abruptly and angrily pulled the plug on the striker’s return in response to the revelation that he was negotiating with Serie A rivals Juventus behind their backs.
In the meantime, Inter have also had to prepare for the season.
This included a memorable, but also exhausting, preseason tour of Japan.
But now, Inter have gotten their campaign off to just the start they’ll have wanted to by beating Monza.
Inter Midfielder Mkhitaryan On Monza Win & Lukaku Debacle
Of the summer, Mkhitaryan said that “The thing that’s changed is the new players.”
“We’ve brought in 8-9 players, who’ve all replaced the players who left,” he continued.
“We’ve then continued to do the things that we did last season,” Mkhitaryan continued. “We did everything we could to get this season off to a good start.”
Of what the new signings bring to the team, the 34-year-old replied that “They have different characteristics, but they’re good players. That’s why we signed them.”
“I don’t think it’s a problem,” he said of the new arrivals changing the team. “We’ll do everything we can to help them settle in, and then they’ll help us.”
Looking back to the Champions League final, Mkhitaryan said that “It hurt us to lose the final like that. Now who knows if we’ll ever be back in a Champions League final.”
“But this final gave us even greater strength and the desire to win, lift trophies, and build on last season.”
And of the situation with Lukaku, Mkhitaryan said that “I was surprised. But that’s in the past now.”
“Again, I thank the players who signed, and I’m sure they’ll give us a lot for the future.”
