Esposito: We are strong and we don't hide, happy to have Stankovic here

After an impactful first season, Pio Esposito is preparing to face an even more important year with Inter. The young striker, born in 2005, spoke to Sky microphones directly from Perth, where the team is engaged in the summer tour that includes friendlies against Milan and Juventus.

Asked about the training camp in Australia, Esposito explained: “We are preparing well for this new season. We are working hard, we have traveled a lot between Hong Kong and Perth. Now we have these two friendlies with Milan and Juventus: two important tests to challenge ourselves and get more minutes in our legs.”

The Nerazzurri striker has clear ideas about his personal ambitions: “Last year we went beyond the expectations at the start of the year because I was coming from Serie B: I am very happy with how my first season at Inter went. The goal is to never stop and never settle. So this year I aim to improve not only in terms of statistics but also as a footballer.”

On the upcoming match against Milan, he said: “It always feels different. Since I was little, I have played so many derbies and it’s a wonderful thing. It’s a match that will be approached seriously regardless.”

Regarding the team’s objectives, Esposito showed ambition: “I agree. We must not hide: we are a strong team that will fight to win again this year.”

With Thuram and Lautaro still unavailable, the young striker finds himself in the spotlight, but he doesn’t feel any pressure: “I haven’t thought about these things. It’s a preparation period, we are working at our best to find our condition. For the league, then, we will all be available and I haven’t made this kind of reasoning.”

A special mention was dedicated to Aleksandar Stankovic, a youth sector teammate now in the first team: “It’s wonderful to have him with us. Ale joined Inter when he was 11, I had already been there for a couple of years, it was fantastic to meet again. This summer I always texted him to ask if he would come back, because it’s a beautiful thing to have a friendship that can continue like this in the club we dreamed of as kids. I saw him doing very well but I already knew him as a player. Now everyone else is seeing him too.”

He also commented on the presence of Chivu on the bench, already his coach in the youth teams: “Exactly. It’s even nicer to meet again.”

On the contract renewal awaited by fans, the 2005-born player appeared calm: “I am very relaxed. I feel great here at Inter. It’s a situation that my agent is handling with the club without any problem.”

Finally, regarding expectations with the National Team, he concluded: “My goal is to always try to prove myself on the pitch. First with my club, then hoping to have the chance to prove myself with the National Team as well because I care a lot about the blue shirt.”