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FIF Special Ones
10 years of FIFThis offseason, Samir Handanovic has welcomed a new backup goalkeeper, one that is more competitive than usual, and a center forward like the prodigal son. Inter change and change again around him but the Slovenian stays put, on a ship, like a captain does. Samir begins his second decade at Inter, something that has only been accomplish by few of the greats.
Handa, 11 years of marriage these days is not easy…
“To me, being at Inter since the 2011-2012 season is honor, responsibility but it also has a sense of belonging, identity. If I stayed for that long, it is because I always feel good here and there has been continuous growth, that of myself and of the club.”
Your marriage with Inter, has there ever been crisis?
“I have never been bored here: passion and hunger count a lot. Here, there’s history and I knew that after hard times victories would come.”
But what is the identity are you talking about?
“Getting emotional about the shirt, that is a special feeling. I see this not as a job or a source of income but as something that gives me emotions, strong feelings regardless of winning or losing. Many left the club and many would love to return…”
One actually did. Are you surprised that Lukaku is back?
“No, because I saw how he was at Chelsea, I listened to his famous interview, there was sadness and nostalgia. One always has to know which dressing room to go to and ours is healthy, cheerful and positive. In life, often you made decisions based on the economics of it but then the feeling of well-being will take over. If you were feeling well at a club, it is normal that you want to go back.”
As a captain, what did you tell him?
“Nothing, it wasn’t needed. I make fun of him though and he still gets hangry if he loses a training match. He is as if he had never gone away. He is the same person as before. As a player, he will do his talking on the pitch.”
You renewed your contract very late…
“It wasn’t a problem. It was automatic on my part and the club also had no issues. Agreement was found quickly and easily. And now I prepare for the new season with determination. Let’s forget past success and the lost Scudetto and let’s think about raising other trophies.”
At the first press conference of the year, Inzaghi said: “My starter is Handa because he deserves it…”
“It is right for him to make choices, our relationship is as it should be between a captain and a coach: we do everything for the good of Inter. I know what my place is, I respect the rules and hierarchies, then if necessary I express my opinion.”
And then from Onana who said: “I respect that Samir is the starter and I will cheer for him from the bench.”
“Those are important phrases because they give serenity to the environment of the club, but we all know that everyone wants to play and that’s fine and healthy. He wouldn’t have surprised me if he said otherwise. It’s normal competition, it’s good for everyone.”
How are you two different?
”We are very different, he comes from Barca youth system and I came from an Italian one. Without getting into technicalities, there are different approaches in the position, in the way of being in goal, making saves. But this diversity is also good.”
Will he play more than your past backup options?
“I don’t know, the schedule is dense and there are many close matches so anything can happen. And as always, the coach decides. But the team benefits from our competition because Inter now have two good goalkeepers.”
Radu and that evening in Bologna…
“It was huge disappointment and bitterness, but it is life. And a season never depends on one game. I did not tell him anything that evening, but I spoke to him the next day. I told him that that episode will make him better as a goalkeeper, but especially as a man. Ionut must know that he will make mistakes just like everyone else but he will also have opportunities to show his abilities.”
That just shows that having a goalkeeper with great feet is important.
“It is not a luxury, but a necessity. If they press you, you must look for an outfield player: it does not depend only on the goalkeeper but also other players and everyone must be trained. We started with Spalletti and now we know each other by heart. The future is headed towards that direction. In two or three years, I do see myself as a coach. But playing like that will always depend on the style of players you have. At Inter, we have everything: a goalkeeper in myself, Brozovic, there are also two center-backs in Bastoni and Skriniar who expand to the outlines quickly: this is essential.”
How important is it for Skriniar to keep doing that for another year?
“Very important. To me, it is essential that he stays with us. We cannot lose anymore pieces. I see him every day calm and peaceful in Appiano.”
Did they overdo it during celebration on top of Milan bus?
“Everyone has his own style and does what he thinks is right. I didn’t see the celebration, I was already back home.”
Name one person, only one, who has been very important to you over these years at Inter?
“His name is Luca. A warehouse worker. He always waits for us with a cup of coffee. In disappointed days, he is always there with a smile and a pat on the back. I trust him and I would like him to stay with us.”
Which criticism has bothered you the most in recent years? And which one, on the other hand, you actually appreciated?
“I am bothered by the prejudiced evaluation which does not evaluate the match situations in full. I don’t want to go into individual cases but I have seen that sometimes. But if there’s a thought with arguments behind it, then I like criticism because it helps.”
Who knows more about wine, you or Barella?
“Barella knows more than sommeliers. But I also enjoy it.”
What wine would you compare yourself to?
“Merlot because it has character, elegance and becomes better with age.”
Handa, 11 years of marriage these days is not easy…
“To me, being at Inter since the 2011-2012 season is honor, responsibility but it also has a sense of belonging, identity. If I stayed for that long, it is because I always feel good here and there has been continuous growth, that of myself and of the club.”
Your marriage with Inter, has there ever been crisis?
“I have never been bored here: passion and hunger count a lot. Here, there’s history and I knew that after hard times victories would come.”
But what is the identity are you talking about?
“Getting emotional about the shirt, that is a special feeling. I see this not as a job or a source of income but as something that gives me emotions, strong feelings regardless of winning or losing. Many left the club and many would love to return…”
One actually did. Are you surprised that Lukaku is back?
“No, because I saw how he was at Chelsea, I listened to his famous interview, there was sadness and nostalgia. One always has to know which dressing room to go to and ours is healthy, cheerful and positive. In life, often you made decisions based on the economics of it but then the feeling of well-being will take over. If you were feeling well at a club, it is normal that you want to go back.”
As a captain, what did you tell him?
“Nothing, it wasn’t needed. I make fun of him though and he still gets hangry if he loses a training match. He is as if he had never gone away. He is the same person as before. As a player, he will do his talking on the pitch.”
You renewed your contract very late…
“It wasn’t a problem. It was automatic on my part and the club also had no issues. Agreement was found quickly and easily. And now I prepare for the new season with determination. Let’s forget past success and the lost Scudetto and let’s think about raising other trophies.”
At the first press conference of the year, Inzaghi said: “My starter is Handa because he deserves it…”
“It is right for him to make choices, our relationship is as it should be between a captain and a coach: we do everything for the good of Inter. I know what my place is, I respect the rules and hierarchies, then if necessary I express my opinion.”
And then from Onana who said: “I respect that Samir is the starter and I will cheer for him from the bench.”
“Those are important phrases because they give serenity to the environment of the club, but we all know that everyone wants to play and that’s fine and healthy. He wouldn’t have surprised me if he said otherwise. It’s normal competition, it’s good for everyone.”
How are you two different?
”We are very different, he comes from Barca youth system and I came from an Italian one. Without getting into technicalities, there are different approaches in the position, in the way of being in goal, making saves. But this diversity is also good.”
Will he play more than your past backup options?
“I don’t know, the schedule is dense and there are many close matches so anything can happen. And as always, the coach decides. But the team benefits from our competition because Inter now have two good goalkeepers.”
Radu and that evening in Bologna…
“It was huge disappointment and bitterness, but it is life. And a season never depends on one game. I did not tell him anything that evening, but I spoke to him the next day. I told him that that episode will make him better as a goalkeeper, but especially as a man. Ionut must know that he will make mistakes just like everyone else but he will also have opportunities to show his abilities.”
That just shows that having a goalkeeper with great feet is important.
“It is not a luxury, but a necessity. If they press you, you must look for an outfield player: it does not depend only on the goalkeeper but also other players and everyone must be trained. We started with Spalletti and now we know each other by heart. The future is headed towards that direction. In two or three years, I do see myself as a coach. But playing like that will always depend on the style of players you have. At Inter, we have everything: a goalkeeper in myself, Brozovic, there are also two center-backs in Bastoni and Skriniar who expand to the outlines quickly: this is essential.”
How important is it for Skriniar to keep doing that for another year?
“Very important. To me, it is essential that he stays with us. We cannot lose anymore pieces. I see him every day calm and peaceful in Appiano.”
Did they overdo it during celebration on top of Milan bus?
“Everyone has his own style and does what he thinks is right. I didn’t see the celebration, I was already back home.”
Name one person, only one, who has been very important to you over these years at Inter?
“His name is Luca. A warehouse worker. He always waits for us with a cup of coffee. In disappointed days, he is always there with a smile and a pat on the back. I trust him and I would like him to stay with us.”
Which criticism has bothered you the most in recent years? And which one, on the other hand, you actually appreciated?
“I am bothered by the prejudiced evaluation which does not evaluate the match situations in full. I don’t want to go into individual cases but I have seen that sometimes. But if there’s a thought with arguments behind it, then I like criticism because it helps.”
Who knows more about wine, you or Barella?
“Barella knows more than sommeliers. But I also enjoy it.”
What wine would you compare yourself to?
“Merlot because it has character, elegance and becomes better with age.”
