FACCHETTI: "NOW FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP"
Thursday, 25 August 2005 00:08:22
MILAN - Along with Massimo Moratti, Marco Tronchetti Provera and the other Inter managers in the stands at the Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday, Nerazzurri president Giacinto Facchetti pulled on an Inter jersey to support the team against Shakhtar. "I hadn't worn this shirt since the day I stopped playing. I felt emotional and it had a certain effect on me to have it in the stands today. We tried to make our players understand that there were some friends there to support them," Facchetti said.
"It's the first time I have seen a match behind closed doors, this is absolutely not football. We understand that UEFA wanted to punish our fans and the club, which isn't to blame for what happened in the Champions League derby last season. But I think that we could play abroad and give the gate to charity. There's the possibility of doing good to lots of needy people. If I were at UEFA I would take this possibility into consideration. I realise it's difficult to change now, but it could be a solution for the future."
After winning the Super Cup and qualifying for the Champions League, it's Serie A time: "We have reached two important goals that make us even more aware of our great qualities. Now we start with the championship. If we want to reach the ultimate goal we will have to play every match with the concentration and determination we showed against Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk. Only in this way can you reach important goals."