Andrea Ranocchia interview: “Inter in flight with Esposito and Chivu”

“Inter are doing well and it shows.” The snapshot with the Nerazzurri filter of Andrea Ranocchia – 226 appearances and 4 trophies wearing those colors – is this. Chivu’s team won against the bête noire Bologna and today in Parma – in a freezing climate, with the temperature dropping below zero during the match – they will have to confirm themselves to continue to look down on everyone. We will need the sixth consecutive victory in the championship and the continuity of that certainty up front that is Lautaro Martinez, a guiding light also in events in which a bit of turnover becomes necessary in such a busy calendar.

The Argentine is now four goals behind a legend like Boninsegna.

“Over the years, with experience and goals, he has become a fundamental player. He has grown a lot since he arrived and now in every match he shifts many balances for the team, regardless of whether he scores goals or not. He is one of those players who inevitably creates apprehension in the opponents, creates movement, opportunities. I think he can reach that goal and above all overcome it without problems. Even in a short time.”

Staying on offense, could this also be Esposito’s year?

“On a character level, Pio has shown that he has understood which team he is in, he has understood the hierarchies well. And when he is called upon he is always ready. He is young, he wants to show himself and improve. But the group has also welcomed him very well. And it is not a given, but this happens at Inter. The group is extraordinary, fortunately I know him well, he is very close to the new ones and therefore I also extend the discussion to the other players who arrived last summer. Returning to Pio, he is a player who Inter needed it, with the right structure which was missing. It will be good for Inter and the Italian national team, because they need it.”

He is a young man, he is twenty years old, but Inter have also included an experienced player like Akanji among the new players this season. What do you think of the Swiss, now irreplaceable?

“I like him a lot. I believed in him right from the start, I imagined he could have this impact in a difficult championship like Serie A. Someone like him who has won everything could only do well in a team with ambitions like Inter. And now Chivu is having a hard time leaving him out, because if he’s well you can’t deprive yourself of him. Players like this are needed by those who want to fight for everything and send a message to the other top-ranking rivals.”

Among these there is also Napoli, next Sunday’s opponent: how important will it be to focus only on Parma without thinking about that match?

“They’re both playing today and this round will take energy away from both teams. Resource management is everything, like thinking match after match. However, if there were to be any change in the formation, I certainly wouldn’t be talking about second lines on the pitch for Inter. It’s right that there is a bit of turnover, but the team is widely covered, there are many solutions in all departments. And Chivu will be able to manage his strength well in this very busy period.”

Today is his match, he returns to the stadium that launched him in Serie A.

“I know Cristian well, I often saw him when he was coaching Inter’s Primavera, I spoke to him at the end of training and I never had any doubts about him. He has human depth and the experience he gained on the pitch as a player is enviable. And Parma was a fundamental step in demonstrating these values ​​and arriving at Inter.”

Do you imagine an exciting return?

“He is certainly not the type to let himself be influenced by pressure or emotions. He has experienced everything in his career and he knows how to handle moments like these very well. He will certainly not remain indifferent to the emotion of the return, but I see him very focused on his team. This is why I am convinced that he will continue to do well this year.”