Inter defender Federico Dimarco is ready for the upcoming season in which he and his teammates will have to work to show they can fight for their goals and improve last time out.

Speaking to Rome newspaper Corriere dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, the 24-year-old stressed that now was the time for the Nerazzurri to prove themselves on the pitch, while praising defender Milan Skriniar that he hopes to stay at the club.

Inter’s Serie A campaign starts in less than two weeks as they are due to travel to Puglia to face Lecce on Saturday, August 13.

This will kick off a frenetic first half of the season ahead of the World Cup, in which the Nerazzurri’s aim will be to do better than last season and win the Serie A title, while progressing in Europe and trying to defend their crowns. Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.

“We all saw our faces at the Meazza in front of our fans and we haven’t forgotten the sorrow of that day,” he said, recalling the last day of last season in which Inter lost the title to AC Milan. despite beating Sampdoria at home.

“This year we have to put our heads down and show what we are worth,” he added.

Of his solid performance at winger in Saturday night’s friendly against Lyon, Dimarco said: “I’m happy because it’s been a while since I played at winger, however, beyond my performance, the important thing is that we got a draw. .”

“I admit I liked playing there, but I can play both in a three-man defense or in midfield,” he noted.

Dimarco spoke about the return of striker Romelu Lukaku, saying “Romelu is a top striker who is happy to be back and is part of a strong group where everyone is having fun”.

“He’s a top player and we hope he can make a big contribution to us along with the other forwards in the squad,” he added.

And regarding his team-mate Milan Skriniar staying or leaving this summer, Dimarco said: “I don’t know anything about the transfer market, you would have to talk to the club.”

“I’m a close friend of his,” he said of the Slovak, “and I want him to stay at Inter because he’s not only one of the best defenders in Italy, but also one of the best in all of Europe.”