Candreva: "We want to celebrate with the fans"

APPIANO GENTILE

- "Everyone is looking forward to the derby. It means a lot to us players too and we know how important a win is for the fans. We'll try to think about them too so we can celebrate with them." The excitement is growing ahead of Inter v AC Milan.

Antonio Candreva

discussed all that and more in a live video chat earlier (broadcast on Twitter, Inter Channel and PPTV). He answered questions from fans, including supporters in China thanks to Weibo.

"The reverse fixture was my first Milan Derby. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and that feeling will be even stronger on Saturday because we're playing at home. I have positive memories of that match because I scored - one of the best goals of my career - albeit not the result. I would have been happier had we won," continued the wide man.

"I can play better," said Candreva when asked to assess his first season with the Nerazzurri. "Every player's form experiences peaks and troughs. I want to get better and my physical fitness always depends on my state of mind. We had a tough start but now we have to finish the season in a style befitting of Inter - one of the biggest clubs in the world. I'm proud to play for this club and I have to do it justice every time I go out there."

Lots of greats players have been at the club, including some of the best footballers of all time," continued Candreva. "I would have liked to have played with Ronaldo but there are so many names, like Baggio, Sneijder and Stankovic. We have a great squad at the moment and everyone gets on with one another. The greater Italian presence in the squad definitely helps because that allows the foreign players to settle more quickly. Gagliardini has slotted in magnificently and just needs to keep going."

Naturally, there were plenty of questions from the Far East: "We're off to China on tour this summer. We'll play some exciting friendlies and experience the fans' excitement first hand. The three words I'd use to describe China are technology, passion and big. It's a special country and it really intrigues me."

Finally, Candreva had a message for the supporters: "All we can do is apologise for our recent performances. We have to bounce back in the derby. See you at San Siro on Saturday. Forza Inter forever!"