‘Inter captaincy? Just cloth...’
By Football Italia staff

Andrea Ranocchia has dismissed being stripped of Inter’s captaincy prior to last season. “It’s just a piece of cloth...”

Ranocchia’s poor 2014-15 was compounded by his armband going to Mauro Icardi for the following campaign, but the defender insists the blow has made him a better player.

“The captain’s armband was stripped from me for Mauro Icardi to have,” he told ANSA.

“I came from a season that wasn’t so good, in which I was attacked on all fronts, but I’m still alive.

“Maybe I’m now better than before. Indeed, certainly.

“The armband is just a piece of cloth. Captains prove their credentials every day and I’m a player who gives my all for Inter.

“The Champions League? It’s still a feasible target. There’s still a lot of the season left and especially this year, the teams are very close.

“Anything can happen thanks to Pioli, who is an experienced and well-prepared Coach. We’re recovering the physical shape that we lacked and I’m predicting a positive future.

“Gabigol? He must earn his place on the pitch like everyone else.”
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