nemanjanerazzurro

New signing Nemanja Vidic had his first press conference with Inter at Appiano Gentile. The defender answered questions about his new role at Inter, his new goals with Inter, and much much more. The Serbian international spent 9 years at Manchester United, and will start a new chapter in his career at Inter. Here are his first words as a Nerazzurri player:

1. Welcome to Inter! What brought you here to Milan? 

“Inter is one of the biggest clubs in Europe, they’ve won many trophies, and the Champions League. They are starting a new project here, and they have a new owner. I want to be part of the project. I’m sure I’ve made the right choice.”

2. Was Stankovic an important factor in your choice? Have you met with Mazzarri?

“Yes we’ve spoke. There have been a lot of Serbian players at Inter. There’s also a lot of Serbian players in Italy and they made suggestions to me. I want to continue the tradition of Serbian players at Inter.”

3. You’re coming from a big club, and you’ve played in the best league. Some people say that coming to Inter is a step backwards. How do you interrupt this vision, and how do you see Italian football at the moment?

“I was close to coming to Italy 12 years ago, and it’s destiny to come now (laughs). Some people think it’s a step backwards, but I don’t think so because Italian football is suited to my style of play. I believe so and I think I’m still going to one of the biggest clubs in the world. At the moment the club is going through a transition phase. The club is definitively moving forward and I’m happy with the project of the club, and the idea presented to me. I thought it was the right time to change club and country, and it’s a new challenge for myself. Italy has a different league, hopefully I could adapt well and play well in Italy.”

4. How did president Thohir convince you to come here, and did you feel enthusiasm when they presented you with the project?

“Yes, obviously I didn’t speak directly with him. I spoke with Marco Fassone and Piero Ausilio. They explained me the future of the club, how it’s moving, and I understand that they are trying to build the club, similar to how Manchester United did. He is enthusiastic, he has the plans, he wants to build the club in a few years time, he has a long term project. I’ve always been excited to be part of a new project. When I joined United, we didn’t win a trophy for 3 years. In my career, I’ve always chosen clubs that are moving forward. Hopefully I can succeed at Inter, just like I did at United.”

5. You were the captain at Manchester United, Inter’s captain is gone, would you feel ready to be the captain of Inter?

“First I have to win the place in the team (laughs). It’s not up to me. First off I have to prepare myself this pre-season and give my best here. My goal is to do well and perform. Being captain and playing doesn’t change to me. Captaincy doesn’t change my role, I always want to do my best.”

6. Last season, Inter ended up far away from Juve, Roma, and Napoli. What do you think will be the main target for the upcoming season? 

“I think the club wants to improve on the pitch, improve the players, and we’ll see where it will take us. Inter is a big club and they always have high expectations, but we’ll really try to finish better than last year, and hopefully we’ll do good in the end.”

7. What do you think about your teammates, and what do you think about 3 defenders at the back? A system that Mazzarri usually uses.

“I watched a few Inter games last season, they play with 3 at the back. I’ve never played with 3 defenders, but defending is defending, 3 or 4 it’s the same thing. I’ll try to adapt to what ever system the coach uses. I’am here to try to perform the best I can.”

8. Is it true that Milan was interested in you at the same time Inter was? And it looks like Chicharito wants to move, has he asked you anything about Inter?

“There were a few clubs interested in me. Milan was not one of them. No, he hasn’t asked me about Inter (Chicharito).”

9. Will you wear the number 15? In the past, Inter has had many Argentinians. Now the paged is turned and there are a lot of Slavic players at Inter like Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, and maybe Jovetic. Do you think this club can be a little Slavian?

“Not really, we are a group of players, it doesn’t matter where they are from. There’s a few Slavic players, it will be easier for me to adapt. I hope to keep the number 15 if it’s available, if not we’ll decide on another number. We still haven’t spoken about that.”

10. In recent years, Inter has had problems in defense. That’s why they have brought in players like you. Do you think it’s better to have good individual players or a good system of players?

“Definitely the system with players. I think in the past with clubs, it’s never been about one player. And to have a good year, I’m depending on my teammates. Good individuals come from a good system, and a good atmosphere. That’s the way all clubs have to be to achieve a good defense.”

11. How is your relationship with the people at Manchester United, and why did you leave?

“I think after 9 years, I achieved nearly everything, as a individual and with the club. As a player I felt the need for a new challenge in my career. Italy is a very nice country, and it’s close to my home. I’m looking for a new challenge, there’s lot’s of reasons.”

12. Is your arrival at Inter the last step on your career, or do you believe you can move somewhere else in the future?

“You never know what the future brings. I’ve come here to stay 3 years. Hopefully I can do well and stay 3 years, and then we’ll see.”

13. When you were at united, you set up a historic partnership with Rio Ferdinand. Here at Inter, we’ve had a lot of successful defenders like Materazzi, Cordoba, Lucio, and Samuel. Is there anyone you would’ve liked to play with? And can you say anything about the current defenders like Juan Jesus, Ranocchia, Campagnaro?

“There’s been really good defenders here that have won lot’s of trophies. Hopefully I can be part of the new defenders, and perform as well as Materazzi, Cordoba, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu, Zanetti. I’ve watched a few Inter games, I would like to be part of the group, and it’s good to have a lot of competition.”

14. Since Inter isn’t playing in the Champions League, do you think that it will change the domestic league performance? Would you ever imagined in March that you wouldn’t be playing in the Champions League this season?

“Even if I stayed at United, we wouldn’t have played in the Champions league. We want to be in the Champions League, but we’ll be in the Europa League. We have a big squad, so everyone will have a chance to play in 3 cups. It shouldn’t effect our domestic league.”