Silvestre: "No doubt, it was only ever Inter"

PINZOLO – He’s already trained with his new team-mates and he’s played in
the first summer friendly. Today Matias Silvestre, the new signing from
Palermo, was introduced to the press.

Managing director Marco Fassone, who unveiled the Argentine and then Samir
Handanovic, explained that today is "a very important day, because
Silvestre and Handanovic represent the spirit of Inter this season. The club
have believed in them, they are classy, enthusiastic players, at the right age,
and they really fit the mould of the players we want to bring to Inter."

After this introduction, it was Matias who spoke of how pleased he is to be
at Inter, and his qualities as a player. "I’m happy, I think I’ve come
here at the right stage of my career, I’ve got enough experience and I’m keen
to do well. I will be responsible for replacing Lucio? It’s a big
responsibility but I’m ready for it. There’ll be a lot of competition for
places at centre-back, but I’m keen to earn my place in the side and I’ll try
and win everyone’s confidence. What are my strengths? I’m good in the air, I
time my tackles well, of course I’m a different player to my team-mates, but no
two players are the same. In any case, my team-mates and I will give it our
all."

In the first summer friendly Silvestre was used as a right-back. Here’s what
he had to say about that. "I’ve said from the outset that I’m here for Inter, I
played right-back on the odd occasion for Catania too. Obviously I do prefer
playing in the middle but I can also play right-back."

He’s bought into the team ethic and wants to start winning trophies
immediately: "We’ve got a good squad and we’re working well, the aim is to
start winning immediately, right from the first game. Why did I choose Inter
over the other sides who were chasing me? There were of course other clubs who
showed an interest, but I always wanted to come to Inter, a big club. Another
key factor was the number of fellow Argentines here, it’ll help me to settle.
How do I like playing alongside Walter Samuel? I’m very comfortable next to him, but I also am with my other team-mates. We all know what a good player
Samuel is, and the career he’s had. He’ll be a great help to me. Just like
Zanetti. I spoke to him and he really impressed me, I knew him as an opponent,
now it’s a great honour to have him as a team-mate. He’s up for it, just like
the entire squad, and we’re expecting a great year."

A look at the past – Catania and Palermo – and one eye on the future, even
as far as his first Milan derby – something he was asked about in the press
conference. "I had a great time at Catania and Palermo, I’d like to thank
both clubs for what they gave and taught me. Now, I will give it everything
here, so I can start the season at the top of my game. Is the Milan derby
different to the ones I’ve already experienced? I played in a lot of derbies in
Sicily, but my next one – the Milan derby – is the biggest in the Italian
league. I’m not thinking about the derby yet but our first league game, and
even the Europa League before that. I’ll only start to think about the derby
after that. Either way, Milan are a great team, I respect them, we all do.
‘Ibra’ is one of the best strikers in the world, we’ll prepare well for the
game."

Finally, he paid tribute to the reception Inter have had in Pinzolo and Val
Rendena, and to the many fans there to cheer the Nerazzurri on: "We’ve
received a warm welcome here in Trentino, it’s great to train every day with so
many people watching, their support gives you that little bit extra. We are
working very well, we might have less time to prepare than usual, but we’ve
already started working hard, doing ball-work and we’ll give it our all."

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