UCL, Darmian: "This is a great set of players: we're going for a win"

APPIANO GENTILE - On the eve of Inter vs. Real Sociedad, matchday 6 in Group D of the UEFA Champions League, Matteo Darmian spoke alongside head coach, Simone Inzaghi, in the pre-match presser:

For you players, what has changed from last season? "I don't think much has changed, we always try to play the best we can and with the right determination to take home the win. Last year, we couldn't get a consistent run together, but this year we're trying not to repeat the mistakes of last season." Do you sense you are going to face a different type of team, and maybe more difficult, compared to those found in the domestic league? "We already knew before the start of the group how difficult it was to play against Real Sociedad. They are a strong, organized team with great pace and quality. They've shown this throughout the group stages and deservedly qualified, too. We want to win so we can finish top of the group." Do you think last season's Champions league run has triggered something for this season? "As I said before, we have tried to learn from last year's mistakes and have been working in the best possible way since day one. We have a great squad; we have so far shown that, but the season is still long and we must keep pushing on as we are." How important is it to finish first? "Tomorrow, we'll go out there, as we have always have done since the start of the season, and try to win, but we know it won't be easy. We want to win and we'll need the right attitude and desire to do so."

Is this the best moment in your career, also physically? What's your secret? "I don't think there is a secret; I don't know if this is the best moment of my career. I'm certainly pleased to receive this trust from everyone; it's something that pushes me every day to give more and more. When the coach selects me to play, I always try to give my best and help the team achieve its goals." The squad is full of Italian players, is this an advantage? "I think that the group is always the basis to get results, regardless of nationality. This is a healthy and strong squad; we feel good around each other and we also transmit that out onto the pitch. We are on the right path and we must keep carrying on as we are." How is Bisseck doing? Are you all helping him in any particular way to settle in? "Yann is a player with lots of quality; he still has a lot of room for improvement. From day one, we tried to make him feel at home: he came in from having different experiences and a different culture. But he immediately made himself available and is very determined to improve. We are happy to guys like this: he has already shown his strong desire to learn in this first half of the season."