The third season at Inter has begun for Piotr Zielinski with a new sense of awareness. The Polish midfielder, interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, retraced his journey with the Nerazzurri, from the initial difficulties to his growth under the guidance of the new coach, including a tactical adaptation that is transforming him into a different player.
“Who knows if I’ll end my career as a defender, in Poland… There has definitely been an evolution. I became a pure midfielder at Empoli, first with Sarri and then especially with Giampaolo. And at Inter I’m also learning the role of playmaker,” explained the Pole. A position that initially didn’t convince him: “I didn’t like it and I said so clearly. But I have to admit that I’m coming around. It was a mental resistance on my part. I still see myself as a mezzala but I have everything I need to play in front of the defense.”
The turning point came in the second season, after a complicated first year that had left him on the sidelines. “I hoped the new coach would be curious to understand what hadn’t worked before. Luckily, that’s what happened. He understood me, he waited for me. And little by little I managed to express my potential. I never thought about leaving Inter,” Zielinski emphasized.
On the reasons for the difficult start, the midfielder didn’t look for excuses but also revealed a previously unknown physical issue. “First of all, because I had some physical problems. I tried new shoes: they caused blisters on my feet that the physiotherapists had never seen in their careers. Other problems followed from there. Then it was also my fault. I had underestimated the difficulty of moving from Napoli. I should have worked harder and accepted not always being a starter.”
Looking to the future, the goal is clear: “The dream is to win the Champions League. We’ll do everything to make it happen, starting this year. But we won’t neglect anything, even in Italy.”
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