In a long interview with Corriere dello Sport Inter’s Rodrigo Palacio talked about everything and not only Inter. After the horrible last season, at least for the club, he looks forward to a comeback and he’ll gladly score fewer goals if it means more titles for the team.
Palacio, be honest: Can Inter win the Scudetto?
“At this point, we shouldn’t think about the Scudetto, but take one match at a time. We have a good team, I am convinced, and we must do our utmost to try to win all the time. The key is to work and give everything. You will see that the results will come.”
Realistically, what is the goal for Inter?
“Fight to end up as high as possible. If we can challenge for the Scudetto, it would be even better, but the important thing is to be competitive and stay there, among the big teams.”
Is Juventus out of reach for the competition?
“They’re one step ahead of everyone else in terms of quality of players. Additionally, they have an effective style of play and a run-in program since the team has been together for a long time. With Tevez, Llorente and Ogbonna, Juventus have improved their squad further.”
Will Tevez to make the league more uneven?
“He’s a good striker who has made a difference in whatever league he played in. In my opinion, he will play a leading role.”
As a former teammate of Apache in Seleccion, what are his strengths?
“One on One he’s scary and if he gets the chance he makes no mistakes.”
Will Tevez-Llorente be the attackang pair on the cover for Serie A?
“They have a lot of experience and everyone expects a lot from both of them.”
And if Palacio Milito ultimately becomes the attacking pair that scores the most goals?
“That would be nice. We hope to score many goals, especially to help Inter.”
Let’s talk about another scorer, do you like Balotelli?
“Yes, because he makes a difference on the pitch. He’s physically strong, technically speaking, he is a phenomenon, and he’s very helpful for the team. From January onwards, he was really important for Milan.”
Are you excited to see Fiorentina’s new attack with Gomez-Rossi?
“Gomez I only know through television, when I’ve watched Bayern’s matches. He is clearly a striker who makes himself heard, and close to the goal he never makes any mistakes. Rossi is doing well now and if he comes back at the same level as in Villareal… He has a goalscorer’s instinct.”
Are Totti and Di Natale, who still score so much at their ages, “cases” to be studied?
“Totti is impressive, a true champion. Di Natale has an incredible regularity. Since I arrived in Italy, he has always scored more than 20 goals. Truly unbelievable.”
Are you satisfied with your total of 22 goals in the first year with Inter?
“Yes, because I wasn’t expecting to score as many goals in a season. Honestly, I exceeded my expectations.”
Do you think you can do better in 2013-14?
“I hope so and I’m working for this goal. I like to get better all the time.”
Is there anything you regret personally if you think back to last season?
“I would not have suffered the two injuries that made me miss many games, some important. I wanted to play more. ”
Which was your best goal?
“The one against Bologna in Coppa Italia.”
And the most important?
“3-1 in Turin against Juventus.”
Palacio top scorer next season: dream or real possibility?
“It’s very hard to become the top scorer in Serie A, but the important thing is that we win something. I prefer to score fewer goals and Inter reaching the top, rather that I be taken away from personal satisfaction than the team.”
When is Milito returning?
“I think and hope it will be soon. During training sessions he’s doing very well and we’re surprised to see him work. We all know how important he is to us and what he can give us.”
What do you think of the new signings Icardi and Belfodil?
“I like them because they are young, have great room for improvement and can give the team a lot. At present and in the future. I think Inter have made two major signings, players with great potential.”
What are Icardis best qualities?
“Mobility and the length.”
And Belfodil’s?
“The technique and dribbling, not to mention willpower. Because now, when he goes through Ramadan he pushes himself twice as much and still isn’t missing a workout.”
What was your first impression of Mazzarri?
“Very good and I really like how he works. He’s a coach with lots of experience, who has clear ideas and focuses a lot on dialogue with the players. He drives us all the time to get better, to give our best and motivates us a lot.”
What did you think of his Napoli last season?
“They played with great intensity and everybody ran. Mazzarri’s teams offer a very offensive football and score a lot of goals. It’s the best thing for a striker.”
In the 3-5-1-1, the coach from San Vincenzo will use you behind the Prima Punta. Is that your ideal position?
“I like to play in that position. I am training to adapt and do well.”
Have you ever worked as hard during a training camp?
“What I can remember I haven’t, but it’s right this way.”
In Wednesday’s friendly match, it was you who scored the first goal during Inter’s new season. A signal?
“The goals that count are those scored in official matches. Now we’re all tired because of the workload, but obviously it increases the confidence with some goals.”
Are you sad that Stramaccioni got fired?
“Yes, because I had a good relationship with him. He helped me get into the team and gave me confidence. Unfortunately, it is the coach who has to pay when the results don’t come.”
Did you expect that Inter would end up in ninth place, with 16 losses in the league, when you signed for the club?
“Honestly, no. I think we could have done better, but to think of the past is useless. We have to work because the next season is not the same as the one before. It will be important not to repeat mistakes, we have everything we need to write a new story.”
Do you still think you made the right choice by accepting a move to Inter?
“I’m sure. Last year I made the best decision for me and my career. I’m happy because I’m sure I can win here.”
Inter, however, come from two seasons with zero titles and will not participate in European cups. How will it happen?
“I’m in a great club and cycles exist in football. It may be that it passes another year or two without titles, but we are Inter and you will see that we will revert to achieving good results.”
So far this summer big scorers like Tevez, Falcao, Neymar and Cavani have switched teams. Has there been no offer for you that made you think?
“No, and it doesn’t matter either. I enjoy playing for Inter.”
If Napoli succeed in signing Higuain, will “Pipita” make us forget Cavani?
“I know Gonzalo well and as a striker, I like him strongly. He’s a top player and can replace Cavani without problems. He has always scored many goals during his career and I’m confident that he would score many even in Italy.”
Are there any players in the Confederations Cup that impressed you?
“Honestly, I was on vacation in Bahia Blanca and watched very little football on TV.”
The NBA Finals with your friend Manu Ginobili, who failed to win the title with the San Antonio Spurs, you did watch…
“When there are important games with Ginobili, Bahia Blanca… shuts down and everyone is watching it on TV. I’m sorry that Ginobili missed the shot in the decisive seventh game against the Miami Heat. I cheered for him like all my countrymen, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”
Guarin and Juan Jesus have changed jersey numbers from last season. Will you be faithful to number 8?
“When I was in Boca, I wore number 14, but when I came to Genoa, I couldn’t have it because Sculli already had the shirt. I chose jersey number 8, and it brought me luck. This is why I kept it even at Inter and I won’t switch.”
Source: fcinternews.it
