INTER, Zanetti: "Thanks fans, now for a fresh start"

© foto di Markus Ulmer/PhotoViews

 Javier Zanetti didn't try to hide his disappointment after Inter's defeat to Lazio: "We're sorry we couldn't win because it would have meant a round less to play in the Europa League," the skipper told Inter Channel. "But that's the way it went and we must thank all the fans who stood by us throughout the season despite all the difficulties. We can make a fresh start now. We're determined to do things differently next year and become a major player again."

What advice does the captain have for Andrea Stramaccioni? "I don't think I need to give him any advice. He knows he has to work very hard with all of us so that we can get back to challenging at the top. A club like Inter deserves to be higher than this and we'll all work together to make that happen."

Zanetti's biggest regret this year was "not being more consistent. We played well at times but were found wanting in too many games. Our final league position reflects that. The desire was there but all too often we failed to achieve what we were capable of."

The captain also had a special thought for Paolo Orlandoni, who announced his retirement before Lazio v Inter: "I want to thank him because he joined Inter a long time before me. He's a great man and a top professional. I know we're going to miss him."