MILAN – Three Nerazzurri players from coach Salvatore Cerrone’s Primavera team have been called up by Italy U-18 coach Paolo Vanoli for a friendly match against Albania. The players are defender Giacomo Sciacca and midfielders Andrea Palazzi and Enrico Baldini.

Italy v Albania will be played on Wednesday 14 May in Camerino (kick-off at 15).

MILAN – Nerazzurri coach Walter Mazzarri discussed his side’s 4-1 triumph over Lazio after the game.

"We’ve reached an important target? I’m pleased with the way we’ve handled things this year but let’s wait till next Sunday before making any final assessments.

"Kovacic? He’s growing, he needed to work on lots of things and you can see the improvement he’s making in every game. We knew he would because he came here as a young lad. And this is where I’d like to thank my staff because I told them what they needed to do with him and they’ve done it and helped the lad to improve. I think they’re doing an incredible job with this player. He’s got personality and tremendous talent, he just needed to learn how best to use it for the benefit of the team. Today he did things that led to goalscoring opportunities and he did nearly everything well.

"The lads were determined to bounce back after a game like the derby and they did superbly to turn around what looked like an uphill situation after just a minute. I know how this game works, I’m happy to accept everything, it’s fine if people want to get on the coach’s back, that way the lads had less pressure and could train calmly.

"The boos? I didn’t hear them to be honest, I was concentrating on the game. I’m the biggest fan of my team, when we lose I’m the first person who can’t sleep at night. In a strange year like this anything can happen, including losing a derby – I don’t think it was the first time – but we shouldn’t have lost like that. I’m the coach, I’m responsible and that’s fine. It’s been a difficult year and I’m a bit tired. The most nerve-wracking and tiring season of my career? Let’s wait. Differences between Naples and Milan? I think it’s similar wherever you go. Let’s say it would be better if the fans were kept more abreast of what’s going on and the problems we have to deal with.

"If people want to understand things they will, if not no. What matters is that things are clear amongst ourselves. This world we live in is quick to slash and burn, there’s a lot you could say about it. Emotions are expressed totally freely: in that sense social networks have ‘improved’ things – ironically speaking – a lot.

"Will we play a different system next year? Yes, I have everything clear in my mind. One of the difficulties this season was that in January it was all clear in my mind but we had to make some choices. Now, at the end of the season, I have things clear and we’ll try to build together next year. I don’t agree with those who say my team plays on the counter. My football is a bit different to that, but it depends on the qualities of the players you have.

"Europa League? I haven’t looked at the league table all season and I’m not looking at it now either. I’ve always said this year was about collecting information. Our ideas are clear. We’ve done it now? No, there’s another match left and we must try to get as many points as possible.

"What do I have to say to Zanetti? I’m happy with this game and with Javier. I told the lads we needed a good win for him and his party. He’s an example to be followed: I’ve often pointed to him this year when talking to the younger guys. This win is dedicated to him."

MILAN – 10 May 2014 is not just any old day, but the day Javier Zanetti walked out onto the San Siro turf for the last time as a player. Inter’s famous number 4, 19 seasons at 16 titles at Inter, the same number as his president Massimo Moratti, was the reason for the sell-out, except for the closed Curva. Yes, there was the small matter of Inter v Lazio. But even the club’s opponents were telling. Lazio were the opposition when he landed his first European trophy with the UEFA Cup in Paris. Lazio were his opponents last night. In between, the record breaker. The boy who became a man, or the man who stayed a boy, you decide. This is Javier Adelmar Zanetti at 40.

Master of ceremonies, an obvious role not just for his brace, but also because he’ll be suspended against Chievo, was Rodrigo Palacio, but everyone played their part in the Meazza crowd which called to mind the best derbies or the Champions League nights under Mourinho. Four was the magic number last night, with Inter scoring that many.

Mauro Icardi would score, the spotlight would often fall on Kovacic, and the end of the match would see Hernanes coming to the fore, with the Prophet not celebrating in front of players who were, until recently, his team-mates. With Europe becoming more tangible by the second, the real number 4 came on. Even had he not run, which he did, he would have received a full ovation just for breathing.

It’s hard not to simply list his achievements but there are ten good reasons why it’s worth doing so.

1 – Javier has grown old with us like no other captain in Nerazzurri history.
2 – He really has suffered and rejoiced with us and we really are lucky because a treble, with everyone that followed it, happens very rarely in football.
3 – Next is his remarkable ordinariness, shown in his wonderful family, and in that face that didn’t want to get emotional but couldn’t help it, just like us.
4 – He still has a remarkable engine at age 40 and money is not his motivation.
5 – When you represent a dream you have to be worthy of it.
6 – His haircut, which never changed over the years. A sign of consistency.
7 – Javier has never made headlines for the wrong reasons and people should learn from that.
8 – Empathy among humans is a powerful means of communication. And he, at the end of such a unique career, was like us. Happy and sad, emotional and strong.
9 – He called over Esteban Cambiasso, Walter Samuel and Diego Milito, giants from our history that, who knows, we may have waved goodbye to. But he didn’t forget Luca Castellazzi.
10 – He is Inter, the club’s style, made up of memories and the life he has led. A high-risk life, against the mediocrity in the world, which makes him an icon. Sorry if it’s too little, and sorry if it can only go hand in hand with Massimo Moratti’s.