Alvaro Recoba press conference

05-02-2003:

You've scored five goals in the ten matches against provincial sides. Is it just a coincidence or is there an explanation?
Unfortunately, I haven't scored in the matches that count more. This is important because it would help us take points away from our competitors. And those points could turn out to be determining at the end.

Milan seem to have more problems with the smaller clubs...
I saw their last match. They didn't play very well, but this has also happened to us. The penalty, which was evident, helped them to unblock the situation.

Is it a question of concentration?
This year the first four are clearly superior to the others on a tactical level. Sometimes the small sides create problems for you, they close up and come forward on the break. But if everything goes like it should do...

Cuper has praised the three strikers trial...
If you play with a striker on the wing, you have more possibilities when you're attacking. But I don't think I will always play on the wing. In the cup I could even play as second striker.

You, however, just prefer to play...
With the trident you have three strikers. Against Torino we didn't start out with the idea of playing with three forwards. I played as an advanced midfielder, just like Emre , who is very strong and has done very well.

Cuper has said that with the return of Crespo he could field an Inter side with four strikers. Do you believe this?
I don't think so. But it could be done when you need to take the lead in the match. A lot depends on the strikers' characteristics. You can play with two wide forwards and two central ones. I can play on the left, but who will play on the right?

Where on the pitch do you feel most at ease?
I just want to play. In today's football, there's little to say. You can't ask Bobo to be a full-back or Toldo to be a forward. But if you ask me to play on the right, I'll do it.

Do you feel you have matured as a player?
I feel well. When I go onto the pitch I'm sure of what I do. If I try a play and I make a mistake, I don't worry because the important thing is to try. This is my style of football.

Could Del Piero's injury be determining in the fight for the Scudetto?
Inter, Milan, Juve, Lazio and also Roma have ample squads and very good substitutes. Di Vaio and Zalayeta are excellent strikers. Clearly, it's not the same thing as Del Piero... I hope he makes his comeback as soon as possible.

What gives you confidence in this Inter side?
The positive feeling comes from the fact that we approach each match in the same way. We've played well in almost every Champions League match. We need to take each match as it comes and try to win all of them.

This Sunday you entertain Reggina...
They're a team that were in a very bad situation twenty days ago. Thanks to the recent victories they've moved up. The coach has done well and he has certainly had the support of their great fans. I don't think they'll come to Milan to win, I think they'll close up at the back. They will have to make very few mistakes, because if they do... Inter have players that are ready to punish them.

Do you feel under examination when you come onto the pitch?
Yes, I feel under examination. It's right that the expectations are very high. When you're an important player and you're paid a lot, you have to do well all the time. On the first day of the championship there were sixty thousand fans at the stadium despite the disappointment of last season.

Will the debt only be repaid with victory?
Yes, even though I will be calm both by winning and fighting right to the end in order to win. In other words, by doing everything possible. But it would also be very nice to win in Europe.

Would you prefer to win the Champions League or the Scudetto?
Definitely the Scudetto.

Do you feel you are in competition with players like Giggs or Beckham?
No. I don't feel I'm the same as Giggs. We have different characteristics. He also dribbles opponents and he's very quick, but I can also play as a second striker and he can't. Beckham is a fantastic player, he has a great shot and a good foot. But I also shoot quite well...

Would you select Baggio for the national team?
If I were the coach, I would call him up every time. I don't think Trapattoni doesn't want to select him, but it's probably because he's looking to the future. He deserves to be in the national team because of the way he's playing. But it would almost be a lack of respect just to call him up for friendlies.

There were a lot of free kicks against Torino last Sunday. Do yourself and Batistuta have any special agreement?
No, there's no agreement. The situation on Sunday was disastrous because of the cold. We couldn't even raise the ball. We always decide on the spur of the moment, depending on the position of the ball and the wall, and on who is feeling better.

Do Batistuta and Vieri together give the side something extra?
They are two exceptional players and Bati still hasn't started scoring... The opposing defences will have their work cut out marking them.

[inter.it]