In an exclusive interview with Ruhr Nachrichten, Inter defender Milan Skriniar has insisted he has no plans to depart the club, where he is happy, but firstly shared his thoughts on when the Champions League group was first drawn.
“I was happy when the group stage draw was made because you play football to be able to compete with the best and in this group we can do that,” he said.
“Would it have been better to come up against more ‘simple’ teams? It might have been simpler but even teams like Zenit St. Petersburg, Shakhtar Donetsk and Slavia Prague have qualities, qualities Slavia showed against us.”
He was then asked if he thinks tonight’s match will be decisive.
“It seems that for us this is a very important game. We know we have to pick up points because we have only got one so far. I even that if we want to go ahead in the competition we have to score points in three of our last four games.”
He was then asked about what he knows about tonight’s opponents.
“I have always kept an eye on them in the Bundesliga and since we have them in our group I have watched them with even greater intensity when I can watch their games.
“They have a lot of quality but if we are talking about possession, they do not have the same quality of Barcelona but they are strong and very quick on the counter-attack, as we seen from them against Slavia Prague. Are Dortmund or Barca hardest to face? Without taking anything away from Dortmund, Barcelona has more about them.”
Next he spoke on playing in packed stadiums.
“I like it when the stadium is full, when the fans cheer on the team and there is a noisy atmosphere. They are not called the 12th man for nothing. It’s especially true for Dortmund too because their yellow wall is exciting. Their fans and the atmosphere is what every club wants.”
The Slovakian international was then asked about how he is feeling at Inter, where he is now in his third year.
“I am very happy here. I feel very good, I have a great relationship with the fans. I play regularly and this is a decisive thing for me. I am not planning any transfer away.
“A lot is written on the internet and I see it but I do not let it get into my head. The transfer window is closed and will reopen in two months time. I did not have any offers in the Summer but in the media clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona were mentioned.
“Of course we would always reflect on things if we receive an offer from these clubs but it would depend more on my situation at Inter and on the role and importance I have here. If you were always on the bench it would be difficult to say no.”
In conclusion he shared his hopes for the remainder of the group stage.
“I would naturally be happy if we could finish first in the group but I also know that it will be very difficult because we have only one point so far but I believe we will progress. If I had to make a bet then I would say second place, Dortmund third and Barcelona first. Slavia last.
“I am always convinced that we will play in the last 16. We all hope so, it is our goal. After the next game we will know something more. We need to consolidate our ambitions, only by picking up more points can we have the opportunity to move forward in the competition.”
