Interviewed by La Repubblica, the German full-back spoke of his move to Inter on the Nerazzurri’s journey to the Champions League
March 31
Interviewed by La Repubblica, the German full-back spoke of his move to Inter on the Nerazzurri’s journey to the Champions League
Angela Merkel, speaking with former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi, cited her as an example of commitment.
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«Many friends shot the video of that speech, a great satisfaction. The chancellor also came with us to the training camp before the European Championship. I managed to ask you a question.”
What did he ask her?
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“What it feels like to live a life without privacy.”
In her spare time she enjoys triathlon. A poet of ancient Rome, Juvenal, said “mens sana in corpore sano”. Was he right?
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“When the head doesn’t work, the legs go nowhere.”
By beating Benfica, you could meet Milan or Napoli in the Champions League semifinal. Who do you prefer?
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“I’d like the derby. I was lucky enough to play three of them, it’s an incredible emotion, perhaps unique in the world. It’s the most a player can live. Pressure, cheering, tension. Think of all this in a semi-final of the Champions League: bye”.
You beat Barcelona and Porto, but in the league you lost against teams less strong than you. As a footballer, how do you explain it?
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“There are multiple factors. Little things that together make the difference: attention, movements, approach».
And as a psychologist?
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“After the big victories we fail to do the necessary mental reset. Probably, on an unconscious level, we are led to think: if I won against Barcelona, I can’t lose against Spezia. But it’s a big mistake. There are no easy games in Serie A. We have to learn to make a clean slate after every match.”
At Inter there is a psychologist.
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«It is available to everyone, it is precious. I go there every week and recommend it to young people. It helps us to detach our thoughts from football, it’s important to give our best. In my prime career I wrote a motivational book, now I’m writing another one for children».
How is your son different from how your father was with you?
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«Nothing, dad is my point of reference. I think I’m quite a nice and empathetic man, so he was right.”
Who is your idol as a footballer?
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“David Alaba. He played in all positions, from defender to number 10, with absurd quality. We talked, he promised me his shirt ».
Where do you imagine your future?
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“There is only Inter. I know that no one has ever given me anything in my career, but I experienced the move to Pinetina as a gift. It’s one of the biggest teams in the world, I want to prove I deserve it.”
Hasn’t that been the case so far?
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«I’m honest, I know that for too long I haven’t been the player Inter thought they had bought. I also spoke about it with Marotta and Ausilio. I had underestimated how much injuries could affect my game, which is very physical. If you’re always a second behind your opponent, there’s little you can do. Now I’m fine, I can show who the real Robin is.’
What does he have to do to regain his place in the German national team?
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«Becoming a regular at Inter. The national team is a consequence ».
You have dual citizenship, you could also have chosen OIanda. Have you ever thought about it?
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«Yes, my father was born there, I lived there. But I decided to wait for the call from Germany. I feel German. I am German”.
March 31, 2023 (change March 31, 2023 | 08:55 am)
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