Post by Taxigirl on Aug 10, 2005 7:33:50 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug9g.html
Inter’s Dejan Stankovic has conceded that Wednesday’s Champions League tie at Shakhtar Donetsk won’t be easy.
The Nerazzurri flew out to the Ukraine this morning ahead of tomorrow’s first leg preliminary round clash.
"It will be important to start the season well even if it will certainly be a tough game," the midfielder stated.
"As we have continually said recently, they are further ahead of us physically. They have already played five games in their championship and won all of them.
"We know our opponents pretty well. They impressed last season against Milan but we can’t possibly think about not qualifying against Shakhtar."
Inter are again starting the campaign with high hopes and the Serbia and Montenegro international believes the time has finally arrived for the team to win a major honour.
"I’m certain that we will all experience a really satisfying year here," continued the former Lazio star.
"The squad has been strengthened over the summer with the help of the new arrivals. They will undoubtedly allow us to take a step up in quality."
However, the arrival of Luis Figo from Real Madrid – who isn’t eligible to play in the two Shakhtar games – has cast doubt over Stankovic’s role this term.
"Where will I play? I don’t know even if I will probably be used all over the place like last time," he answered. "I just need to remain in good physical shape."
Udinese are also in Champions’ League action this evening as they face Portuguese side Sporting in Lisbon.
Inter squad for Shakhtar:
Toldo, Julio Cesar, Bindi; Cordoba, J.Zanetti, Ze' Maria, Favalli, Materazzi, Samuel, Wome; Stankovic, C.Zanetti, Pizarro, Veron, Solari, Cambiasso, Karagounis, Maa Boumsong; Cruz, Adriano, Recoba, Martins.
Inter’s Dejan Stankovic has conceded that Wednesday’s Champions League tie at Shakhtar Donetsk won’t be easy.
The Nerazzurri flew out to the Ukraine this morning ahead of tomorrow’s first leg preliminary round clash.
"It will be important to start the season well even if it will certainly be a tough game," the midfielder stated.
"As we have continually said recently, they are further ahead of us physically. They have already played five games in their championship and won all of them.
"We know our opponents pretty well. They impressed last season against Milan but we can’t possibly think about not qualifying against Shakhtar."
Inter are again starting the campaign with high hopes and the Serbia and Montenegro international believes the time has finally arrived for the team to win a major honour.
"I’m certain that we will all experience a really satisfying year here," continued the former Lazio star.
"The squad has been strengthened over the summer with the help of the new arrivals. They will undoubtedly allow us to take a step up in quality."
However, the arrival of Luis Figo from Real Madrid – who isn’t eligible to play in the two Shakhtar games – has cast doubt over Stankovic’s role this term.
"Where will I play? I don’t know even if I will probably be used all over the place like last time," he answered. "I just need to remain in good physical shape."
Udinese are also in Champions’ League action this evening as they face Portuguese side Sporting in Lisbon.
Inter squad for Shakhtar:
Toldo, Julio Cesar, Bindi; Cordoba, J.Zanetti, Ze' Maria, Favalli, Materazzi, Samuel, Wome; Stankovic, C.Zanetti, Pizarro, Veron, Solari, Cambiasso, Karagounis, Maa Boumsong; Cruz, Adriano, Recoba, Martins.