- Joined
- Dec 21, 2015
- Messages
- 20,796
- Likes
- 32,568
- Favorite Player
- Wesley Sneijder
Best Football Poster
Best Overall PosterInterview: Cordoba puts hand up for Inter return
La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Massimo Lopes Pegna interviewed the former Nerazzurri defender to get his thoughts on the current situation at his former club
by Marco Credentino,
Inter cult favourite Ivan Cordoba admits he is intrigued by Suning Group’s new project at the Serie A giants and would jump at the chance to contribute if they call him.
The 39-year-old former defender spent 12 great years with the Nerazzurri from 2000-12, establishing himself as clear fan favourite among the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for his full-hearted approach despite his diminutive stature.
Now studying to be a director of football at the Columbia University, Cordoba still keeps tabs on his former side and also mentioned some of his toughest tests.
Would you like to return to the Nerazzurri?
“I would love to be able to contribute to my favorite team. With the arrival of the Suning Group, now there is an inevitable period of transition. They will want to understand more fully the various issues. I live in Como and am available. If that happens, it would be nice. The arrival of the Chinese will be positive if they’re like Moratti and invest to build a more competitive team. Soon we will understand their true intentions.”
Why do you think last season didn’t go as planned for Inter?
“It was and still is a crucial time for the club. First there was [Erick] Thohir, and he has already sold to the Chinese. It’s inevitable that this sense of instability also had an effect on a sporting level. Last season, as we have seen, there has never a set formation. Knowing Mancini, this is difficult to explain because his strength has always been to find a core of 11-14 players to depend on. Evidently some of these players were not able to give the answers he expected.”
Manchester City seem willing to offer €60 million for Bonucci. You know him from Inter when he was a boy, what do you think?
“Almost his whole youth career was spent with us. In the Primavera, he was really good. A pity that he left and the fact that no one caught his potential. I spoke often and maybe I could’ve helped. Now he has a confidence in him which is crucial to doing well.”
Another ex-Inter youngster, [Mario] Balotelli, instead seems to have lost his way.
“He probably has always had an entourage who has advised him badly. He is still a kid that could not make the necessary change in his head. Talent is not enough, this is now clear.”
You had 11 coaches at Inter, who was the most significant?
“I learned so much from [Hector] Cuper, Mancini, [Jose] Mourinho and Leonardo. Mourinho’s the best because he has a method that no one can duplicate. Anyone can use his tactical ideas, but can’t manage the group as he does. In the game and off the field. All his workouts are with the ball, the thing we like best as players. And then always he gives you a chance, but you need to do to be ready. We had a very good relationship, the kind between real men. We also fought, but he knew that some of my criticism was right and I ended up appreciating them.”
The toughest opponent?
“Ronaldo – il Fenonemo. Unpredictable. With him you had to guess his moves and try to anticipate it. If not, you’ll commit the foul. Ibrahimovic was also very strong, but with my speed, I could take my time. I remember fondly my duels with [Andriy] Shevchenko.”
And the best moments?
“The 2010 treble and the decisive goal in the final of Copa America in 2001. But among the strongest emotions is the first triumph with the youth team of Rio Negro, my team as a kid. I was 15 and I did not know what it meant to win. And when you understand that you do not stop anymore. I did not stop. It was the only thing I had in mind. I was training more hours than anyone: that is how I overcame perhaps more gifted players than me.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Massimo Lopes Pegna interviewed the former Nerazzurri defender to get his thoughts on the current situation at his former club
by Marco Credentino,
Inter cult favourite Ivan Cordoba admits he is intrigued by Suning Group’s new project at the Serie A giants and would jump at the chance to contribute if they call him.
The 39-year-old former defender spent 12 great years with the Nerazzurri from 2000-12, establishing himself as clear fan favourite among the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for his full-hearted approach despite his diminutive stature.
Now studying to be a director of football at the Columbia University, Cordoba still keeps tabs on his former side and also mentioned some of his toughest tests.
Would you like to return to the Nerazzurri?
“I would love to be able to contribute to my favorite team. With the arrival of the Suning Group, now there is an inevitable period of transition. They will want to understand more fully the various issues. I live in Como and am available. If that happens, it would be nice. The arrival of the Chinese will be positive if they’re like Moratti and invest to build a more competitive team. Soon we will understand their true intentions.”
Why do you think last season didn’t go as planned for Inter?
“It was and still is a crucial time for the club. First there was [Erick] Thohir, and he has already sold to the Chinese. It’s inevitable that this sense of instability also had an effect on a sporting level. Last season, as we have seen, there has never a set formation. Knowing Mancini, this is difficult to explain because his strength has always been to find a core of 11-14 players to depend on. Evidently some of these players were not able to give the answers he expected.”
Manchester City seem willing to offer €60 million for Bonucci. You know him from Inter when he was a boy, what do you think?
“Almost his whole youth career was spent with us. In the Primavera, he was really good. A pity that he left and the fact that no one caught his potential. I spoke often and maybe I could’ve helped. Now he has a confidence in him which is crucial to doing well.”
Another ex-Inter youngster, [Mario] Balotelli, instead seems to have lost his way.
“He probably has always had an entourage who has advised him badly. He is still a kid that could not make the necessary change in his head. Talent is not enough, this is now clear.”
You had 11 coaches at Inter, who was the most significant?
“I learned so much from [Hector] Cuper, Mancini, [Jose] Mourinho and Leonardo. Mourinho’s the best because he has a method that no one can duplicate. Anyone can use his tactical ideas, but can’t manage the group as he does. In the game and off the field. All his workouts are with the ball, the thing we like best as players. And then always he gives you a chance, but you need to do to be ready. We had a very good relationship, the kind between real men. We also fought, but he knew that some of my criticism was right and I ended up appreciating them.”
The toughest opponent?
“Ronaldo – il Fenonemo. Unpredictable. With him you had to guess his moves and try to anticipate it. If not, you’ll commit the foul. Ibrahimovic was also very strong, but with my speed, I could take my time. I remember fondly my duels with [Andriy] Shevchenko.”
And the best moments?
“The 2010 treble and the decisive goal in the final of Copa America in 2001. But among the strongest emotions is the first triumph with the youth team of Rio Negro, my team as a kid. I was 15 and I did not know what it meant to win. And when you understand that you do not stop anymore. I did not stop. It was the only thing I had in mind. I was training more hours than anyone: that is how I overcame perhaps more gifted players than me.”
I guess you also think Cristiano never could be a captain for a team?
