Figo: "Inter, show your strength"
Friday, 19 March 2010 12:50:43
[FOTO Friday, 19 March 2010 12:50:43]

NYON - Inter's 'foreign minister' Luis Figo was interviewed by Sky Sport Italia after today's Champions League draw at UEFA headquarters. "You can never choose which team to face, but it's always better if you can avoid teams like Barcelona and United," said the Portuguese after seeing Inter pitted against CSKA Moscow.

Inter host the Russians at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on 31 March, with the return leg on an artificial pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium on 6 April. "Playing on a pitch like that is different," explained Figo, "but I think the motivation and desire to reach the semi-final can help us overcome everything. I don't think the playing surface will be a handicap for us; we have played on other pitches in Moscow and this can't be an excuse for us."

If Inter reach the last four they will face Arsenal or Barcelona, but Figo has no preference. "We have to think about ourselves," he said. "Like I always say, to win the Champions League you need to beat every team, even the strongest ones. The semi-finals are two matches like a final and Inter just have to think about winning, whether it's against Barcelona or Arsenal. This is the mentality we need to have."

Inter are still with a chance of winning all three competitions this season, but Figo is certain that Inter's packed schedule won't affect their European performances against CSKA. "A team like ours that wants to win every competition must be prepared for these circumstances," he said. "We have a strong and complete squad and I think that the championship and the Champions League are two different things. José Mourinho knows how to dose our strengths."

Figo also spoke of the psychological strength that Inter showed in their two-legged last sixteen match against Chelsea. He is sure the Nerazzurri will be a different proposition if they meet Barcelona again after the two group stage matches last year. "We are already talking about the semi-finals, but there are two games against CSKA to play first. Getting through the round of sixteen was very important because Inter showed their personality and quality, but it will be even more important to show what we can do to reach the semi-finals. Our experience in Barcelona shows how you shouldn't play at the Camp Nou. We have to learn from this experience and we will certainly play in a different way."
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