Inter - Barcelona, on next Tuesday, will be his game. It already was for the first leg, when he's surprisingly started and scored the 1-0 for the Blaugrana. Rafinha hasn't forgotten about the few months spent in Italy with Inter's jersey, and is now ready to face him in what has been his stadium. A few days away from the game, the player's given an interview to Il Corriere dello Sport.
"When I scored the goal, I felt really happy but it was natural not to celebrate it, as a matter of respect for my former teammates. Everything was very special but also very strange that night. A few months ago I was fighting on their side and now I face them as an opponent. If everything went as I thought it would, things could have been different but it hasn't, and I'm now happy to be here. I've had a lot of affection from Inter's fans and I have to thank them. I felt appreciated from the beginning. I was convinced I'd have stayed. They went after other players and I have to move forward".
"Inter have been great in how they've dealt with my injury. The idea was to start a long project there, there wasn't a moment I realized it wouldn't be that way. The weeks went by and I realized they were signing contracts with other players. Spalletti? When I said he's been direct, I was referring to his coaching ways, how he leads the group. I've never talked about my future with him".
About the other aspects of his career: "Luis Enrique is one of the best coaches. He's great in the tactical and motivational aspects, I've learned a lot with him. I began my career under Guardiola, an incredible feeling: play alongside my brother Thiago at the Camp Nou. We've spent out lives together playing football in the street and we got to the top together... Valverde knows well how to handle a group, it's perfect".
"What would I do if I got to return to Inter? I don't like thinking about "if's". I've had a great experience and there will always be a place in my heart for Inter. I respect Zhang a lot, he's surprised me at the beginning but you understand quickly how smart, wise and serious he is. The Nerazzurri aren't that far away from Juve, they have a great project".
