Josep Martinez took stock of the start of the season for Inter in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. The Spanish goalkeeper does not hide the difficulties of Inter’s defensive phase, while confirming the team’s ambitions.
“We are doing well, but it is important to highlight the things we are not doing at our best, especially the defensive phase: we are conceding too many goals,” said Martinez. “It’s easy to look back at the goalkeeper, but we are a team and from the first to the last of us we have to raise our level, and I believe we will do it because if we have one characteristic, it’s that we are always hungry. We always want to win, try to improve, add something in every match to reach our best in the decisive moments of the season.”
The reference to the matches against Roma and Madrid is explicit. “Exactly. Surely the first halves need to be reviewed, we relaxed in certain situations and we can’t afford that, but I am calm because the team is aware of the problem and that’s where we will focus our attention. It’s a pity about the match lost here in Madrid, we came close to getting a result against a team of great quality. We are strong and we can compete with anyone, but to do so we must avoid giving advantages to our rivals because sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t,” added the Nerazzurri number one.
On his personal moment, marked by mistakes against Madrid and Udinese, Martinez appeared calm. “I experience everything with tranquility, for better or for worse. Anyone can make a mistake, the important thing is to analyze it to avoid repeating it, there is no other way. You shouldn’t point the finger at the individual when they make a mistake, because it’s part of football. Without mistakes, I’m not saying there wouldn’t be goals, but there would be far fewer. It happened to me, it can happen to someone else. The important thing in a team like Inter is to stay united and if someone has a bad day, try to help them. I repeat, naturally.”
Looking at the busy schedule awaiting Inter, Martinez said he is ready. “I feel good, and not just physically: we are ready for everything that is coming, we are ambitious and we set no limits. We will compete with everyone, in Italy and in Europe,” he emphasized.
There was also room for a comment on the Italian national team. “Honestly, I see a lot of potential in Italy. They need to find a defined style of play again but the quality is there. There are several top-level Inter players and with them many other valid elements. They need to regain confidence after missing out on the World Cup, for me it’s more a mental thing than a matter of quality,” he said.
In closing, Martinez spoke about the car accident he was involved in a year ago. “It’s something you never forget, I know I will carry it with me forever. I think about it, and I try not to too much because it’s something that can drain your energy. It was a tragedy and the only way to overcome it is to look forward. The difficult period is behind me and the fact that I am here proves it. I am in one of the best teams in Europe and in the strongest national team in the world. I look to the future with optimism, positivity, and a lot of hunger: I want to keep winning matches and trophies with Inter, so that they call me back here.”
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