BRANCA: "WELCOME, DACOURT"
Saturday, 15 July 2006 12:24:23 APPIANO GENTILE - Marco Branca introduced new signing Olivier Dacourt in a news conference at Angelo Moratti Sports Centre following this morning's training session. "We have the pleasure of welcoming Olivier Dacourt, a new player at Inter for the new season", said the Inter technical director. "He has signed a two-year contract for us, but we hope we will be together for longer."
Sat beside Dacourt and Inter's transfer market consultant Gabriele Oriali, Branca continued: "You all know Dacourt very well as he has played in our championship for many years, always with great consistency and excellent results. We are happy that Olivier has chosen to continue his Italian career at Inter."
Coming up on Inter.it, Olivier Dacourt's presentation news conference
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DACOURT: "NO COMMENT ON SENTENCES"
Saturday, 15 July 2006 12:49:43 APPIANO GENTILE - Part two of Olivier Dacourt's presentation news conference:
Who did you support in the World Cup final?
"I am French and proud to be. I obviously supported my country. But I also had some friends who were playing for Italy. I was a bit disappointed at the end of the game because I wanted France to win the World Cup. But this is football: Italy deserved to win six years ago at the European Championship but France imposed themselves, and the opposite happened at the World Cup."
What do you think of what happened between Zidane and Materazzi in the World Cup final?
"I wasn't on the pitch and I don't know what Zidane and
Materazzi said to each other. But for children and everyone watching the match it certainly wasn't a nice incident. Zidane's wasn't a nice gesture, but I prefer to remember his last match with the 'cucchiaio' penalty kick."
Are you surprised by the football trial sentences?
"I prefer not to make any comment on all these things for now because there is still the appeal trial. It is not the right moment to talk, so let's wait."
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DACOURT: "WHY I CHOSE INTER..."
Saturday, 15 July 2006 12:36:51 APPIANO GENTILE - Part one of Olivier Dacourt's presentation news conference:
Why did you decide to join Inter?
"Because I still haven't won a Scudetto in Italy and I want to be part of this project. It is a great team that I have come to know, and the chance of winning the Scudetto is a big incentive for me."
Roberto Mancini said yesterday that your ex-team Roma could be one of your closest rivals for the Scudetto. What do you think?
"Roma are certainly an excellent team. We did very well last season, but they have changed a lot of players now. I am only thinking about Inter now because I'm here, and if Roma do well then I'm pleased. But like I said, I'm just thinking about Inter now."
Did you have other offers before deciding to join Inter?
"I was out of contract and I had many chances to go and play elsewhere. But I really like living in Italy and Inter is a great team. This is the reason for my choice."
What do you think of the Inter environment? What are you expecting from this adventure?
"I am a football player. Whichever team you join, you just want to play. If we look at the Inter squad we can see that it is strong and competitive. I will have to train hard and aim to give my best when I have the chance to play. But the coach will decide, I'm just a player."