Gagliardini: “We must be focused and fight to the end”

APPIANO GENTILE – In an interview with Sky Sport, Roberto Gagliardini commented on the win against Sampdoria and his feelings after the league’s resumption: “I’ve missed the league a lot, so I wanted to get back to it. I was very enthusiastic, and it was a joy for me to play again because even though the period we went through wasn’t easy, it was amazing to resume what you love doing.”

He also commented on the team’s aims: “We’re there or thereabouts, we’ve been playing well from the beginning and there are these six points that separate us. Playing every three days means we have to be switched on and claim as many points as possible. It won’t solely depend on what we do, but we must do our best because anything can happen in the month and a half that remains.”

It’ll be important for the team to manage themselves as best they can in this fast-paced climax of the league: “Yes, we’ll have to be more cynical and try to finish games off earlier. The recovery between games will be even more important than game management on the pitch, that’s going to be key, to try and live healthily and manage yourself because every game could present a pitfall and there may be dangers right up until the final whistle, as we saw yesterday.”

He then spoke about his teammates, starting with Eriksen, who was the key player in yesterday’s game at San Siro: “He’s an experienced player who’s gradually settling in and helping us. We’ve also got players like Stefano Sensi who can do really well in that role and can help us from now until the end of the season.”

The two goalscorers, Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, also took centre stage: “The important thing is that someone scores, and they’re doing it well. They’ll need to help us by continuing that and doing what the coach asks them to do. Sanchez has also looked very good lately and he’ll be a key player for us, and Esposito will also be able to give us a hand.”

Finally, he talked about the group and personal aims: “In these months of lockdown we’ve always felt together, the dressing room has been in good spirits and we’ve been able to continue like before, which is the great thing about football. I personally think about doing what’s good for Inter and trying to reach our goals.”