F.C. Internazionale Milano - Forza Inter :: Fudbal ~ Kladionica ~ Fantasy ~ Navijaci

MATERAZZI: "A WONDERFUL YEAR"

MILAN - Marco Materazzi summed up his 2006 in this end-of-year interview with SkyItalia:

Was 2006 the best year of your life?
"On a sporting level yes, I would say so. I won everything there was to win on both a personal and team level. So I think it has been the best year of my career."

Your mark out of ten for your 2006?
"No mark would count. I did everything that was expected of me. Ten out of ten for 2006."

2006 will also be remembered for the passing of Facchetti, with whom you had a special relationship. You took the trophy to him in hospital the day after the Super Cup triumph. What did he say to you?
"That we had done well and that he had watched the whole match. He spoke in a whisper, he told me it was because he had been cheering us on. I will also treasure the moment when I took his footprints for the Golden Foot. That's the memory I will keep inside me."

What is your fondest memory of Facchetti?
"We often heard from each other during the World Cup. I promised him we would get to Berlin and that he would come with us, but unfortunately he couldn't mask his absence. But with his heart he was there with me."

You also saw him at his home before going to Germany...
"I saw him before and after. Giacinto was always there for me and he gave me some excellent advice. And I have improved a lot also thanks to him. Two years ago they said I was going to leave Inter. He called me and told me 'do as you usually do, do your best and you will play more'. He was right."

It was also the year of the defenders: Materazzi, Cannavaro…
"It was the year of Italy and the Italy defence. We were a compact team, we all knew what we could achieve. It was the year of Materazzi and Cannavaro, but also of all those who followed us with passion."

Name the three strongest defenders in the world?
“Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini. My idol is Nesta, Fabio is closer because I have played with him. They are great champions, and I just try to do my duty. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't."

2006 was also the year of Calciopoli. Do you miss Juve?
"I miss my national team companions at Juve, but not the rest. Justice has been done, they are paying the consequences, and are now showing they are a very serious club. We'll have them back among us next year."

How much has your relationship with away fans changed since the World Cup?
"I'm still the same. The fans probably don't let themselves be influenced by negative opinions. Poking fun is okay, but nastiness never is."

Do you think the relationship has improved also because of the greater recognition for you?
"I just did my duty for Italy, I'm pleased I contributed to winning the World Cup."

Close your eyes and think back to the World Cup. What is the first thing that comes to mind?
"The celebrations after the goal against Czech Republic. I see a golden blur coming towards me. It's Buffon. This is the first image of my World Cup that comes to mind."

You recently said you feel more confident thanks to the World Cup. What did you mean exactly?
"I have always felt sure of myself, otherwise I would never have played for Inter or at two World Cups and a European championship. This World Cup has helped me become this good. If you don't have the characteristics, you can't get to where I am with desire alone. I am happy with what I am."

Inter have also been looking more confident recently. What is this metamorphosis down to?
"Nothing in particular. Just the fact that we're strong, we know our strengths, and we have to win at all costs. We know where we can arrive. And this gives us the strength to carry on. Looking at what has happened, the doubts and perplexities we had before were real."

But is the team's maturity the only reason for the big improvement?
"Some phenomenal players have joined a team that has played together for three years. This has helped the team improve mentally as well. It was already a strong team before."

There's always a match that marks the beginning of a cycle. In Inter's case, which one was it?
"They all say the derby. If we had remained with eleven men against eleven it could have ended differently when you look at the period Milan were going through. But it only finished 4-3. For me it was the Super Cup against Roma. On the pitch we told ourselves that to show our strength we would have to come back and win. And we did."

What is the reason behind your goalproof defence?
"Every value comes through in the end. We're a muscular team that has matured such a lot because it knows what it wants. Once again, when we were down to ten men against Lazio, we told ourselves we had to win, and we did."

How much do five or six physically strong players like Materazzi, Vieira and Ibrahimovic count in this physical game?
"You feel strong, and everything is easier when you also have the technique of Ibra. The club has done well to choose the right men in the right places. Ibrahimovic is great. His strength is in being arrogant and self-assured at the same time."

At the start of the season there was talk of a slightly tense relationship between yourself, Ibrahimovic and Vieira. Is it true?
"They were so tense, we went house-hunting together. They still haven't found one and I'm still helping them. They have never been tense. I have always admired them because they give and and take them on the pitch. We're playing together now, we're fighting together towards the same goal."

Looking at the way Inter have been doing, isn't it a pity to stop now for the Christmas festivities?
"I thought so, but with all the injuries we have, it could be a good thing, because a lot of them will be back after Christmas. We will try to extend the positive run."

Your kissing of Figo's foot after the goal against Lazio was reminiscent of Moriero's shoeshining with Ronaldo...
"It has been a strange year for Luis, even though certain things come easy to him. I saw he was happy so I thought it was nice to do something special to thank him and make him feel the warmth of the team."

So far you have scored against Livorno, AC Milan, Messina and Lazio. Which goal gave you the most satisfaction?
"There's no need to ask. It was the one against Milan. After six years of insults, the day of reckoning had come... The one against Messina was a great, crazy goal. No one in my place would have thought of doing something like that. Perhaps it was the injustice I suffered the at the end of the first half that helped."

Were you annoyed by the recent title 'It has to be Inter's year if Materazzi scores a goal like this'?
"I don't really care. I had already scored a goal like that in Serie C. It wasn't at the Scala of Football, but it was still worth three points. I don't pay attention when they write certain things. They write to sell..."

What has annoyed you most you in 2006?
"I don't wipe out anything. Everything written about me, motivates me. I have broad shoulders. They can continue if they want, those who insult me don't know what they are coming up against..."

Perhaps too much was written about the Zidane headbutt. Thanks to that incident, you stopped Zidane from winning the Ballon d'Or...
"I helped Cannavaro. I'm pleased that he won it. Fabio played better than Zidane during the calendar year, there's something not quite right if three or four matches are enough to win the Ballon d'Or."

The nicest compliment you have received this year?
"That I am still myself even after the World Cup."

A wish for 2007?
"On a personal level and for the team, to emulate 2006. A Scudetto won on the pitch with Inter after many years would be almost the equivalent of a World Cup. The Champions League is a strange tournament, you can be knocked out from one moment to the next. We're focused on the Scudetto, our big target. And if we also win the Champions League, even better."

Your next tattoo?
"In the meantime I have promised one to my children. We will see if we win something..."