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APPIANO GENTILE – Cagliari obviously, then his contract renewal, M’Vila, Medel and Hernanes. These are some of the topics Andrea Ranocchia touched on during his press conference the day before Inter welcome the Sardinian side to the Stadio Meazza.
The captain began with tomorrow’s opponents and a warning that, despite their slow start to the campaign, Zeman’s team is not to be taken lightly. “It will be a tough match, as they all are. The league is very balanced this year. Cagliari have bags of quality up front. We’ve been looking at them closely.”
The centre-back then stressed that teamwork is key to containing the opposition’s attacking threat: “Defence starts with the forwards, then in midfield and then us. It’s easier when everyone chips in.”
The 26 year old then fielded questions on Medel and M’Vila (“both important players for us”) and San Siro (“it’s our home”) before commenting on the mentality required to compete at the top: “No one working here does anything but try to create the conditions needed to win our games. That’s why we must go out there tomorrow with our minds focused on nothing but victory.”
What about third place? “No, I wouldn’t settle for third. I’ll settle for winning every game from here on in.Then you guys do the maths.”
Asked about Hernanes, Ranocchia said: “We have lots of quality players here and there’s harmony within the group. If you want to be a top side no one should be guaranteed their place in the team. Hernanes has done superbly coming off the bench.”
The skipper went on to discuss his contract renewal and how settled he is at Inter. “I’ll sign a new long deal soon. And at the end of that I’d like to sign on for many more years.”
As for his Italy call-up, he explained: “That sort of opportunity comes along if you’re playing well for your club.”
After the press conference, Ranocchia told Inter Channel: “It’s amazing to hear San Siro calling me ‘capitano’. After all these years I’ve been here, I feel Nerazzurri through and through.”
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