From the present to a future at Inter, with the goal of bringing Inter to the level the club deserves, and a summer that promises to be of green and gold colors, Joao Miranda spoke to the Brazilian website GloboEsporte.com, starting with the possibility of being called for both the Copa America and the Rio Olympics: “I’d like to play both the Copa America and the Olympic Games, but Inter has no obligation to release me for the Games. But if I were to be called, I’d like to represent my country in an important competition that it has never won. At that time the desire of the player prevails. Dunga hasn’t told me anything, but I’m a person who tries to repay all those who put their trust in me and I always give my best.”
But if you were to choose a competition between the two? “It would be hard for me to decide, but the Seleçao is going through a complicated time and I think the Copa America could give the push to come back. I would opt for the Copa America to try to change the atmosphere, because things would come back to normal with a win.”
When it comes to Inter, Miranda takes stock of his first season in Milan: “For me it was a positive year. Even though I moved to a different league I managed to maintain a very high level, and for me this was a good thing. Inter have many new players and it is normal in this case to have the ups and downs in a league. I still believe in the possibility of reaching a place in the Champions league, we are on the right track. It is a strong group, I am certain that when we also have the continuity we can fight against any team in Europe.”
The reason behind the choice to leave Atletico: “I needed a change. Everything that I experienced at Atletico was nice. It was a victory lap, but I wanted to leave, look for other conquests, and Inter opened the doors to try that. This I think is a challenge. Inter is one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I am one who likes challenges. When I came to Atletico the club was not going through a good time. I accepted and I left Atletico in better condition than when I arrived. I want to make sure that Inter returns to being the club that it has always been, a club playing in the Champions League and fights for important titles.”
On the differences between La Liga and Serie A: “Here it is more difficult to win a game. In Spain, when you play in a great team you’re sure to win the game. But here it is more complicated, because the more Italians there are in a team the more difficult it is to beat. the Italians are tactically very obedient and well organized. If Ronaldo and Messi would be able to score 40 goals in Italy? Those two players are above the average, they definitely would score a lot of goals in any league, but here in Italy they wouldn’t find themselves in front of goal as easily as in Spain, because tactically the teams are better here.”
A comment on Simeone, who is a candidate for a future on the Inter bench. What does Miranda think? “Today I see him as a coach of Atletico Madrid. Atletico has a good coach and so does Inter (with Mancini, editor’s note). They are two different coaches, Simeone is happy in Madrid and I think he will remain there for many years. Simeone is a person that aims to bring out the best from his players every day. He demands the most out of everyone on the pitch and the players are always reaching the highest level. Simeone had experience in Italy and, as Italians are very strong tactically, he passed on a lot of what he learned here. If we’re still talking? Very little, because I tried to break away a little from Atletico. I have to experience Inter, Inter is my home, my club and I have to dedicate myself to my present.”
The only goal for Inter he scored in front of José Mourinho, at the San Siro in a 3-1 win against Sampdoria. It is said that the Portuguese coach watched the Brazilian for his future club: “I’m glad he liked the way I play. Mourinho is a winner, he has won wherever he went, he deserves my respect. But my thoughts are focused on finishing this season well and winning titles with this shirt. If I would consider leaving Inter if we miss out on the Champions League? I don’t think so, there is lots of speculations. My focus is on giving my best, to ensure that Inter returns to play in the Champions League, if this doesn’t happen this time, it will definitely be for the next year, but I don’t think about changing clubs at the moment.”
Source: fcinternews.it
