Samaden: "It was positive overall, we leave stronger as a group"

LA SPEZIA - Inter’s adventure in the Viareggio Cup came to an end with defeat to Club Brugge in the quarter-finals. Director of the Elite Academy Roberto Samaden discussed the positives to be taken from the experience to Inter Tv. "We took part in the Viareggio Cup with a reduced squad due to the number of players on international duty. The aim was to come here with this squad so we could see players who haven’t featured as much in the league. The response was excellent, both from those who hadn’t played as much and those like Gianelli and Attys who were making their debuts."

Going out at the quarter-finals doesn’t undermine what the Nerazzurri have achieved in this competition: "We lost against a great team, they’re strong technically and move the ball well. With a bit more luck, we could have avoided the first goal. That doesn’t take away from the fact that we should be satisfied. The guys put their soul into it in every game, also playing in one of the toughest groups."

"We leave the Viareggio Cup strengthened as a group but also individually. The Coach is doing an excellent job and he’s shown great professionalism and ability in football. We all know that for a club to have 25 young players called up by their countries means that we have an Elite Academy of great value here, on the international stage also."

Finally, there was a comment on the Inter girls with Alessandro Ruocco’s Under-19s in the semi-finals of the Viareggio Women’s Cup. "The tournament this year is a great initiative from the organisers. There’s a lot of focus on this in youth football and the trophy can bring real energy to the movement. We’re here to face top quality sides and gain experience."