Inter, De Boer and Icardi talk to media ahead of Europa League debut
De Boer: I am the manager of Inter and I want to win all games, we’d like to win all Europa League games at home. A victory would be very important
How about leaders in the dressing room?
Icardi: There are many of them at Inter, I’ve always said that. We want to win every time. I am a striker, but that doesn’t mean that I am not responsible for everything happening on the pitch, everyone has his own responsibilities.
What do you know about Hapoel?
De Boer: We’ve analyzed many data with technologies. We respect them, they had almost eliminated Celtic.
Is the Juventus clash more important than this?
De Boer: People mostly talked about the Juventus clash, but that’s the most important one and we want to prove it to fans.
What did you like the most about the Pescara game?
De Boer: We created many chances and we have to continue, there is plenty of room to improve
Why are you usually not called to Argenina national team?
Icardi: There is a manager that makes decisions. I don’t think it’s a problem with the rest of my teammates. I did the best possible last season, I want to do more to convince the coach.
Is there a new atmosphere after the Pescara clash? De Boer: Wins always help, there is a better atmosphere but we have to continue with our efforts
Your release clause will exceed € 100 million, more than Higuain’s at Napoli. Which effect does this have on you?
Icardi: Higuain’s worth each single penny Juventus spent to sign him. My market value is set by the club, but these kind of things are a bit fake. Messi’s is € 250 million, but nobody can afford that fee. I am happy to continues with this club until I can.
Do you think you are among the best players in the world?
Icardi: I haven’t said I am not going to lead the team, but my main duty is to score goals. Everyone has to do his part, the team is a sum of each one of us. De Boer: Having a player like Icardi it’s important. He’s a terrific finisher, but there is also who has to create and if Handanovic wouldn’t have done what he did, we’d be talking about something else. Everyone has to work hard each day.
Which is your favourite system?
Icardi: I like the one we used at Pescara. We were not used to play with a 3-5-2 system and we struggled a bit in the first game, but with the 4-2-3-1 I have quality players behind me.
What would you do to win the Europa League? You’ve been compared to Ronaldo and he started his Inter career winning the UEFA Cup. Icardi: Ronaldo is the best striker to have ever played football, so I can’t be compared with him. I’d like to win the cup, especially now that I am the captain.
You were used to score less goals with headers. Have you improved or you just get better assists?
Icardi: We have players like Candreva and Banega who are plenty of quality. I’ve always scored goals through headers, but I have to be ready to score, regardless how.
What are you missing to find a definitive balance?
De Boer: We played very well at Pescara, but each one has to do his part, otherwise we are going to struggle also against a Serie B side.
