I DON'T HIDE FROM DIFFICULTIES

"If I have chosen to stay at Inter then it's definitely to win. It would have been too easy to leave during a difficult moment," said Alvaro Recoba at the Expogoal exhibition in Milan today, confirming that Inter is in his heart just like he is in Massimo Moratti's, and Mancini's. And after Anderlecht the player now hopes to be used on a regular basis. According to El Chino, Moratti "is one of the reasons why I have stayed at Inter. I'm grateful to him even though unfortunately I have never repaid him. With the power he has he could have made me play, but he has never done this. I hope I can repay his faith in me."

Recoba doesn't feel he is the only one responsible for the lack of success in recent years. "A lot of the blame for this situation is mine because I haven't managed to perform. But not every coach that has been here has won," added Recoba.

On his rapport with Mancini, El Chino remarked: "I was hurt when Mancini told me I wouldn't have played against Messina . I told myself 'I'm leaving, what am I doing staying here?' Then the boss explained to me that without Veron we had to play with four (in midfield) and everything went well." And on Sunday? "I hope I play in Siena. I have to show the coach that he's making a mistake if he doesn't play me. If he leaves me out it means that he thinks others are more in-form than me at the moment. If I could choose I would obviously play myself, but my decision doesn't count." But isn't Recoba untransferable for Moratti? "If Moratti says I'm untransferable, fine," replied El Chino. "But if Inter tell me it's better to leave I will leave without any problems."

Tuesday's Champions League match gave Recoba the opportunity to play some spectacular football. "I did very well to react on Tuesday evening because if I hadn't I would have proven the boss right for all those times he hasn't played me," said the Uruguayan. "We have done very well in the Champions League group. Now we're waiting for the draw and we know full well that everything will be different from now on. You need more concentration when it's win or bust." Any preferences for the draw? "I'd like to avoid Barcelona - the strongest of them all," replied Recoba. "It would be nice to go to Madrid because they don't seem as strong as in other years."

On 18 December it's Juve v Milan. Will Recoba be supporting the Rossoneri? '"Why not? Milan were supporting us in Inter v Juve. I hope it's a draw, but first we have to win our games."

[nter.it]