«We had respect for Ajax before the first leg and we have even more respect for them now that we played against them. They are fielded well, they attack and defend in unison. In the first leg we were made to fight hard and having managed to collect a positive result in those conditions gives us hope and the necessary self-esteem to face them with the same determination of the first leg and the will to lengthen the positive streak». Zaccheroni is looking for further confirmations from the match against Ajax. The coach obviously wants to make it through to the final 16 of the Europa League, but he also and above all wants to see further progress by the team: «The cup is a do or die competition and we want to stay in obviously, but at the same time we also want to improve in view of the championship that has many hurdles and competition ready for us. We must remain compact and bring to the right condition those who have just returned or are about to return. The next month will be the hardest and in this tour de force we must get equipped adequately to play the matches as best we can».  With regards to individual players: : «Camoranesi has been with the group for some time but hasn’t played a full match yet. At the moment he hasn’t even played a full 45 minutes and therefore I have to consider well various aspects, which aren’t only linked to the player. In any case, during training I though he seemed fine. Buffon has a pain to the right leg and we are carrying out other tests but I think and hope it is nothing serious. Today we will verify the conditions of Caceres, Trezeguet and Giovinco, keeping in mind that they did not train recently. If I call them up it is because they can play in tomorrow’s match».

Besides the match against Ajax there is also a delicate match against Palermo in the championship, but Zaccheroni ruled out that the victory in the first leg against the lancers can reduce concentration: «One should always be aware of the risk and it is up to me to eliminate it, but the greater risk is that linked to the quality of the opponents’ team and I don’t think my players will take it for granted. Risks come from not managing to get the attention of the players but if you manage to get their attention and availibility as I have at this moment, it is a reason to be serene as I am. There are three months to go before the end of the season and I think it is right to face the moment day by day, match after match, basing on the improvement of the group and on the general condition».

Concentration is at its top level and is addressed to the match against the Dutch side and Zac assured everyone that he is not thinking of anything else, not even of a possible confirmation at the end of the season: «I don’t think of it at all. I am only concentrated on the team to be able to obtain positive results. I do not have time for other objectives. For me it is enough to obtain those which we established».

The talk shifted to Del Piero and to the importance of his performances for the whole team: «The captain,  and perhaps I was the one to note this first after the first leg against Ajax, is doing great things on the field and this is the consequence of the weekly work, of the attention and of the disposition that he offers the coach and his team mates».

Finally a though about the match between Inter and Chelsea in the Champions League «I always support the Italian teams. Rivalry on the fild is another thing but I think we are dutybound to support Italian teams even though on the other side there is a friend like Carlo Ancelotti. I wish he wins his championship».