Handanovic previews tenth season at Inter: “We have a Scudetto to defend”

APPIANO GENTILE – Samir Handanovic became an Inter player nine years ago today on 9 July 2012. 3,287 days later, Samir is still with the club and raring to go ahead of his tenth campaign with the Nerazzurri. This time, however, there will be a commemorative crest on the captain’s jersey, in tribute to Inter’s 19th Scudetto title, with the goalkeeper proudly holding the trophy aloft after the Udinese game at San Siro at the end of last season in his 389th appearance for the club.

The attention now turns to getting back to work under the stewardship of Simone Inzaghi. Here’s what the Slovenian told Inter TV:

“It was an incredible feeling after we won the league, but that’s in the past now. We have a Scudetto to defend in what will be the closest league campaign in the last ten years, with at least five title contenders and many top, new coaches. It’ll be exciting, but we’re a strong side and we’ll focus on our qualities.”

Handanovic spoke about the pressure of playing back-to-back seasons with hardly a gap between them, followed by some time off and the return to training this week.

“When it gets towards the end of the season, you can’t wait to go on holiday, but then you quickly can’t wait to get back to Appiano Gentile. It’s always fantastic here. It’s lovely to see everyone who works here and your team-mates. There’s a wonderful atmosphere, too. We needed the holidays because we hadn’t stopped for a year and a half. Some players are even more tired because they’ve been involved in the Euros or the Copa America. I’ve been able to rest and it’s now time to get going again.”

The goalkeeper discussed the huge upcoming finals that will feature Lautaro Martinez (Argentina v Brazil in the Copa America) and Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella (England v Italy in the Euros):

“I’ve watched all the games involving Croatia and Italy. I’ll certainly be supporting the Azzurri. It’s been brilliant to see matches between so many top teams. Italy have what it takes to win the Euros.”

This time around, the new season also brings with it a new coach and coaching staff. Handanovic and Simone Inzaghi actually enjoyed a brief spell as team-mates back in 2006 at Lazio, which the club captain remembers fondly.

“Of course, we’ll get to know the coaching staff properly when we’re together day after day. Right now, it’s as if it were the first day of school, but that’s normal in football. I remember my stint at Lazio although I was young. There were so many players there who’ve since become coaches or sporting directors. I learnt so much from the likes of Inzaghi, Angelo Peruzzi, Igli Tare, Fabio Liverani, Massimo Oddo, Paolo Di Canio and Marco Ballotta. It was brilliant to share that experience with them. Inzaghi had a wonderful relationship with the youngsters. What the players can do now to help the new coach is simply give our best every day.”