Moratti: "From now on, one step at a time"
"We've never had such positive second half of the season as this.
We are still behind and we mustn't get carried away, but we can say that up to now we have done what we were supposed to do," said president Massimo Moratti to Inter Channel about Inter's progress in the league since the beginning of the season. He continued: "Since the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, the team has changed, as regards play and results and this is what I am most interested in. Now we must go on as we are and see how far we get."
The derby is coming up now and it will be treated like any other game: "We'll take each game as it comes. I can say,
however, that I am very pleased for all the players and for Leonardo, who has fitted in perfectly at the club. He has brought just what I wanted, a great spirit. I'm already satisfied now but, as a fan, and like all fans, I'm hoping for something more."
Inter have really given their fans something to shout about this year: "Incredible emotions to experience and to remember. We must be prudent though, as must the players, continuing to work in this spirit of humility. The team are happy they have done what they had to do, that's the main thing, and now we'll try with professionalism and with our hearts to go on doing what we have to. If we manage it, it'll be wonderful." :star:
The Nerazzurri president ended by speaking about the incredible rise and rise of
Samuel Eto'o: "
He's an exceptional professional. Inter have rarely had a centre-forward who could provide us with the type of joy he does match after match. I think we should be grateful to him for his professionalism, his personality and his spirit of sacrifice, which maybe you don't expect in a man like that. And it's wonderful for his team-mates, too. The swap with Ibrahimovic was… fortunate for us." Moratti also had some words of praise for
Cristian Chivu: "
I really wanted to compliment him on how well he played today." 
Zanetti: "One of the most exciting derbies"
"Getting the win was the most important thing because we had a big chance today. We were up against a Lecce side that played very well and were very compact. Then Pazzini got the goal which gave us the deserved win." That was Javier Zanetti speaking to Inter Channel about today's win over Lecce, which took the Nerazzurri to within two points of leaders AC Milan.
"From now on, it depends entirely on us," the captain reflected. "And it's we wanted: to close the gap between us and first place. Now we have three crucial games ahead of us and a derby with a lot riding on it. But we know what we're capable of. I'll join up with Argentina now, and then I'll put everything I have into preparing for Milan in the best possible way - a game that promises to be one of the most exciting I've been involved in after the two-legged semi-final in the Champions League. Who are the favourites? Milan are because they're ahead of us, but you can't predict anything in a derby." :star:
Julio Cesar: "This win a 10/10 for importance"
"This was certainly a match that rates 10/10 on the scale of importance. We did what we had to do and we're satisfied. It was an important match against an opponent that put every man behind the ball. We also had to risk a bit, but in the end it all turned out as it was supposed to. Congratulations to my team-mates and the fans who gave me a warm welcome during the pre-match warm-up. The save from Bertolacci? That's the life of a goalkeeper: one day you make a mistake, the next day you save the game. Now I'm thinking of the national team and the derby with confidence. AC Milan are a great team and the derby is a special game, but it won't be decisive because there will still be lots of games left. At any rate, it could certainly be a big step towards the title."
Pazzini: "I've been waiting for the derby"
"Yes, they pointed out to me that Lecce is one of my favourite targets. Today it was important to win, the stadium was full and the air was tense. We've worked so hard to get here, and now we've done it."
It was a decisive goal that sparked the protests of Lecce players for a presumed touch with his arm in the build-up: "I think the movement of my arm was a bit deceiving, but from the replay you see that I trapped it with my shoulder. I wasn't even aware of it. I realized when I saw the protesting."
A decisive attacker, here are his secrets: "I have my qualities. It's clear that not being very tall and not having an imposing physique, I have to do something else. First off, I try to make myself available to the team and I'm happy when I can finish the work of the group."
Pazzini continued to talk about the tough time that Sampdoria are going through: "I hadn't expected it and I'm sorry for them. I could have imagined a bit of a struggle after Cassano and I left. But I really hope they pull through and remain in Serie A."
Finally, a comment on what he expects for his first Milan derby: "
I've been waiting for so long. It's a huge match and we're looking forward to it. But today we're enjoying this comeback. It's the first thing I heard when I arrived, and it's what all my team-mates want. We're not giving up now and we'll fight to the end. How excited am I for the derby? I'm trying to stay as calm as possible, even if the preparation during the week is really difficult. Will I be physically fresher for not having played in the Champions League? Certainly, but if I had any say I'd be a bit more tired myself…" :star:
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Leonardo: "Won with intelligence"
"I am a bit tired, I admit..." began a smiling Leonardo as he commented on the win over Lecce. "
It was a tough game, against a very compact side that are capable of defending well and hitting quickly on the break. We did struggle a little to open up space and if we hadn't played with intelligence we wouldn't have won this match. But this team know what they are doing: there were very few gaps out there today and that's why we needed to play intelligently and patiently - the players did really well again today." 
Thoughts naturally turn straight to the derby on 2 April, though there is the international break before then, and lots of Nerazzurri players will go away with their national sides: "The derby won't decide things in the league," Leonardo immediately pointed out, "because there will still be 21 points to play for. Football is perfect because of its imperfections. We try to control everything but we can't and that's the beauty of football. Today I can say that we're where we wanted to be and the derby won't be decisive, even if we win, because we'll only have a one-point lead. Let's not forget that Napoli and Udinese have been on great runs for a long time.
"Lots of our players will go away on international duty and selfishly you do worry a bit, although I'm the first to recognise how important your national team is. However, I also know that my players are good at recognising their limits. Ranocchia? He needs to recover and we'll have to see how Motta is too – he felt some pain in his knee."
Leonardo was then asked if a win in the derby would have a particularly sweet taste to it, because it would prove Rossoneri owner Silvio Berlusconi wrong. "I don't bear any grudges," the coach replied, "and I always look forward. We learn something from everything but I always look forward. I don't forget anything, it's still all inside me, but in a positive sense."
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