Internazionale Main Thread II

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Adriano: "The Emperor will strike back"
Friday, 21 September 2007 18:28:01
[FOTO Friday, 21 September 2007 18:28:01]

MILAN - Adriano spoke about Inter, football and his private life during a long interview with Sky Italia for the second episode of a new series entitled '100 e lode', dedicated to the Nerazzurri's centenary season.

Adriano, after a difficult period we saw flashes of the true Adriano in the game against Catania...
"I don't want to talk about what happened last year. It's an important time for me and I want to prove that I'm still a great player."

What went through your mind when you came on to the pitch at San Siro to face Catania? "I was a bit nervous because it was my first match of the season. But everything went well."

Why is the affection of the fans one of the most important aspects for a player?
"It's important, and particularly so for me because I have had a terrible year and a half, so hearing the fans give you strength on and off the pitch is very important. This helped me greatly, but I know I can do a lot more and I'm working very well with the team to do better and better."

So you understood you were deprived of something important in this recent period of your career?
"I'm trying to mend my ways so I can do more than what I did in the past years. I also think the team needs me a lot. They know I can do a lot for them when I'm in form."

Why didn't you manage to find your outlet in football?
"Because there were too many things that got me down and I didn't manage to keep my problems off the pitch or handle the situation well. On the pitch in training I just thought about my problems and didn't manage to play well. It was my mistake. I should have forgotten about my bad period and tried to play my best football to forget about my problems, but this didn't happen. But I didn't hurt anyone. Many people said I was taking the club and Moratti for a ride. Today I want to say that I have never taken anyone for a ride in my life. I hope I can forget about the bad period and get on with my job."

In another interview with Sky Italia, Luis Figo said that wasted time never comes back. Have you ever thought about this?
"Yes. I have thrown away a year and a half of my life, but these are things that can happen to a person. It happened to me, and I hope it can help me to mature in life."

The best goal you have ever scored?
"The one against Udinese at San Siro. I still really enjoy it every time I see it. At that point in my career everything I did went well. I'm sure I can start doing great things again this year. Physically I feel good and this is very important for me because of my great muscle mass. I hope I can score these kind of goals again."

How come we're no longer seeing those trademark powerful shots?
"I'm trying and trying, because strong shots are one of my qualities. I tried against Catania and hit the post at the end. These things will sort themselves out gradually."

Is your exclusion from the Champions League an open wound?
"I'm calm now because it has been a while. A player obviously wants to play in the Champions League but it went like this and I have to respect the decisions of Mancini and the club. I'm sad because I can't help the team in these first European games, but now I will work hard to return. I have big chances of returning if I work like I am doing now."

Do you like your nickname The Emperor?
"I now realise the responsibility of having a nickname like this. I like it but the responsibility increases tremendously, so you always have to be in top form to handle a name like this, but I will definitely return to being The Emperor this year."

Is it true you once told your mother that you were happier when you had nothing?
"Yes, it's true and I tell everyone about this. Money obviously helps you in many things but you can't buy happiness - the most important thing of all because money doesn't help you at all when you're sad. So I think that the people who are always with you are those of your family. First there's God, then there's your family. I don't know what others think, but this is how I see it."

Have you understood what you needed to be happy?
"Yes, I have now. I'm a person who likes laughing and joking. When I'm sad it means there's something wrong. I'm happy again now, I have brought my mother and son to Milan. This is very important for me because it's as if I have found the happiness I had lost."

What is Adriano the father like?
(Smiles) "He's very calm, but my son is always making a mess... I'm always playing with him. Sometimes he wakes up at three or four in the morning and I get a little bit angry, but in the nice sense of the word. He's a wonderful son."

Does he take after you?
"I liked playing with the ball when I was little. I think he will go on to do a different job, but it's still too soon to say."

What's the worst thing they have said about you in these past months?
"They said too many things about my private life. I have clearly made a lot of mistakes but it's not right to start talking again about things in the past because in this season I'm doing everything to put things right and not have the problems I had last year. I think the media should show more respect for me now and not always talk about things that are in the past."

Are you starting to choose the right friends?
"To tell the truth I have never had many friends. I think that when you're having a tough time you look for excuses and try to involve your friends. But like I have said many times, the problem was mine alone. When you feel bad you look for absurd things, and this is wrong."

Have any of your team-mates given you the right advice?
"Cordoba told me some very nice things, but all my team-mates have great affection for me. They all know I can do more for the team when I'm feeling good. They have all helped me. They can see I have changed and they tell me to continue like this and do better and better. I'm doing this every day and I think this is the right path to take in order to do well."

Is your mother Rosilda the only woman in your life?
"Yes. Actually no. There's also my grandmother who took me to training sessions at Flamengo when I was young. We overcame many problems at that time. There's also my brother and my son. My whole family has always been important for me."

What can your family understand about Adriano that the others can't see?
"Maybe they tell me I'm too kind. This is my problem. Many people try to cheat me, but I'm like this and I can't manage to be a different person. For example, I always feel bad when I argue with someone during training. I always try to be a humble person and not hurt anyone, and I think this is positive for me."

What would have been different for you if your father were still alive?
"A lot, because I was so close to him. If he were still here I might have won the Ballon d'Or in that bad year and a half, because he would have helped me stay calm. I was having a wonderful season and then all these things happened. These things can happen to anyone, it was certainly a bad time. At the start I didn't realise I had lost my father but then he was no longer part of my daily life and this was the hardest blow. It really hurt me."

Can you repeat those things you said this summer about your problems related to alcohol?
"Yes. I said those things and I have no problem repeating them. At that time I really couldn't manage to sleep or do anything positive. I only thought about my problems and I was drinking a bit too much. But I absolutely don't want to start doing those things again."

What advice would Adriano give to Adriano?
"To always be like I am now. To try to live my footballing and family life in the best way possible. And to try to keep my feet on the ground, which is something I have always done."

What does football mean for you at the moment?
"It means the chance to become the strong Adriano of two years ago. I'll do everything to return to being who I was before. Many have noticed a massive change in my attitude. They're all telling me I have changed and that I'm doing the things I didn't manage to do a while ago. I will always try to give my best in everything."

What must Inter improve?
"Like Mancini said, we have to be more focused and not be frightened of anything. We have great players in our team and we can do very well. The first Champions League match went badly but we have to be calm and work hard in the week to give continuity to the work we're doing."

What's your message for Fernando Orsi, the ex-Inter vice coach and current Livorno coach who you face on Sunday?
(Smiles) "I hope I score... It will be a hard and difficult game, but let's hope we do well. Good luck to them and good luck to us."

You face three championship matches in a week...
"We hope to work well and win them all. This is very important."

Any promises to make?
"I will do everything I can to be back to how I was before. I want to tell everyone that they can still trust me."

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Ecuador Starlet Mendez Can’t Wait To Join Inter

Ecuador Under 17 international Deison Mendez can’t wait to get his work visa so he can begin his European adventure with Inter.

The 17-year-old midfielder recently inked a deal with the Italian giants and is expecting to join up with the full Inter squad next month.

"I've already spent time in Italy training with Inter's youth side," said Mendez.

"Now I'm in Ecuador because I'm on duty with the national team.

"On my trip I have had the chance to speak to Roberto Mancini.

"He was full of praise for the way I play and he gave me some advice on how to improve my game.

"I hope I can travel back to Italy as soon as possible. I hope it might be the second week in October."