Prima Serata, Ranocchia: "Off on the right foot"

"Stramaccioni gives me confidence. Juan Jesus is very young but already a top player. Thanks to the fans"

APPIANO GENTILE - Andrea Ranocchia can't choose between Max Pezzali and Ligabue ("I like them both") but he's very clear on what he thinks of Andrea Stramaccioni, something which comes across from the way he speaks about his coach during Prima Serata, now showing on Inter Channel: "Stramaccioni has given me a lot of belief, even last year when he came in. The difference is this year I've had a good start. He has shown faith in me and continues to do so. This year I've got off on the right foot."

He then goes on to talk about his team-mates: "On the training camp I roomed with Castellazzi. Who do I get on best with? I get on with everyone, perhaps Chivu and Stankovic slightly more than most though. How have I found playing alongside Juan Jesus? It's been great, he's very young but he's already a terrific player. He still needs to improve tactically but we worked well considering we were paired for the first time together in a competitive game in a tough fixture against Torino. But it went very well."

Ranocchia then gave his thoughts on the new playing surface at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, which is nothing like the artificial pitches at Novara and Cesena: "Those Astro Turf pitches are awful, they really do you damage. The one at the San Siro though is a good surface. It's still a little firm, so you might start to feel pain in your feet a bit after 70-80 minutes but it's no big deal because the grass is good and it's a lot more natural."

Finally he spared a thought for the fans, who have stuck with him throughout, last year included: "When I met the fans there was not one who had a go at me for not playing well or who questioned my performances. They were a constant source of strength and support for me, they behaved brilliantly and I must repay their faith. I'd like to say a big thank you to them."