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"THE REAL FACE OF ME AND INTER? YOU'LL SEE..."

"We have gotten in three phrases, having just won the direct confrontation in the derby will launch us even more."

Appiano Gentile - Ricardo Alvarez, please explain how you have gone from staying in the stands to now putting a certain Sneijder on the bench?

"Hands off Wes.  He has unique characteristics within our team.  His recovery will be one more weapon for an Inter that can and must grow still."

Well Ranieri is now married to the 4-4-2 and there is no room for the Dutchman.

"But Sneijder and I can co-exist in the 4-4-1-1, but in a diamond midfield, I understand how it may be unbalanced.  I did well as a central midfielder in Velez although it is true that I prefer to play wide."

When was the turning point for Alvarez?
"After a very difficult period, the first positive feelings arrived against Juve.  But everything was turned about against Cagliari on November 19.  I was just coming back from my duty with the Argentinian team but ended up in the stands.  However, during warm-up, Sneijder got hurt so Coutinho got the start and I was sent to the bench.  In the second half, the first goal came from my free-kick and then I assisted the second for Coutinho."

So boos were turned into applause at the San Siro.

"Our stadium is special but when people take aim at you it is difficult to ignore a certain atmosphere. It is a fear to make mistakes so I have limit those as much as I could by doing homework properly."

The fans also know how to reward those who put their heart in the game especially those are younger and new to the game.

"In Argentina, I was not accustomed to doing much work in the gym.  It was not easy to adapt to the rhythms of your football.  Here all the teams are deadly in counterattacks."

How has Ranieri affected on your growing process?

"A lot.  The mister is a great motivator and knows everything about football.  He has been giving us many concepts that can only do us good but we also have to be aggressive because otherwise we are not going anywhere."

And Alvarez, how far you want to do?

"As far as possible.  You have not seen the real Ricky.  I need to improve every aspect of my game.  Especially in the change of pace after we retrieve the ball."

You made a mistake of wasted a good goal scoring opportunity in the derby.

"It was not an easy chance because Nocerino did well to recover and I was not able to angle the shot.  But it is true that it would have been different had I used my right foot..."

Five Argentinians as starters.  The one out of tune is Zarate.

"I also played with Mauro in the youth system of Velez.  His skills are unquestionable.  He must continue to train well.  Unfortunately for him when he was playing back in October and November, it was not the real Inter.  Without forgetting his contribution in Moscow and against Lille because it was decisive."

The critics say that when the intensity increases, like against Milan, the team is in difficulty.  How would you rate your performance in the derby?
"We were perfect defensively but inevitably we had less control of the game than usual and then I could only create little."

How big was that victory?
"I believe that this is the real turning point of the season.  We had success in the Champions League at Moscow and Lille but we kept losing in the league.  The came December and particularly the derby, it this the game that will launch us even more."

What team has impressed you the most in recent months?

"Juventus are very solid but no one in Italy has a team that like Inter."

So for the Scudetto, you are there too right?
"This I will not say.  We just wan to take and win one game at a time."

The next win would be worth a passing over Lazio.  A team that is better playing away and just like Milan they are very dangerous on the break.

"I don't think that info is new to us.  We understand very well."

What have you learned about Italy?

"It has a bitter cold weather.  But I'm settling well thanks to my teammates and the fans."

You have not scored a goal from the outside which was your  specially in Argentina.
"It will come soon.  For now, the only thing that stopped me from that was the post against Genoa in the league."

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport