Handanovic ahead of Europa League return: “We're doing well and we're ready to give it our all”

GELSENKIRCHEN – On the eve of our clash with Getafe at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, the Nerazzurri captain Samir Handanovic gave his thoughts on the upcoming match and took questions from journalists. 

Coming into this competition having finished second in Serie A, no doubt everyone at Inter will be keen to win it, especially you, the captain, but how are you feeling about Inter's chances?

This is an important competition, I reckon that all the teams will be approaching it in the same way, as it's a big opportunity for all of us, but I think that we're doing well, both physically and mentally, and we're ready to give it our all. We don't know how far that can take us, but everyone needs to be aware that we're here, we're ready, and we'll be doing our level best to go all the way.

In the final match of the season, Inter kept a clean sheet, and it seems like the defence, and the squad as a whole, have really grown over the season, where do the strengths of this team lie?

Our biggest strength is that the squad are looking really strong, both physically and mentally. We've shown that in the last few matches, but that strength was there before, too. The whole team is keen to stop conceding. And as always, we've been training hard together as a team, and together, we've got stronger. We've developed a craftiness on the pitch that'll be crucial in the Europa League.

Could a trophy like the Euopa League help speed up Inter's growth in future?

Yeah, it would help for sure. Winning trophies now helps you win them in future, too!