Schelotto expresses derby goal joy

25/02/2013 9:42:00 AM

The Nerazzurri's new Argentine addition was delighted to open his goalscoring account and praised Stramaccioni's half-time team-talk for the turnaround

Ezequiel Schelotto marked his Derby della Madonnina debut with a goal as Inter fought back from going behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with city rivals Milan.

The January signing from Atalanta expressed his delight at scoring his first goal in Nerazzurri colours and said he now hopes the team can embark on a strong run until the end of the season.

Speaking to Sky Italia, the Argentine said: "It is a dream, I will never be able to forget this huge emotion I am feeling.

"I want to dedicate it to my family who were all here tonight to watch me, and to the president and the staff.

"I did shed a tear, as to mark my debut Derby like this was remarkable and I thought back to everything I went through over the last few months.

"It is a very important goal and the draw is a little harsh on us, as we had the chances to win this. At half-time coach Andrea Stramaccioni told us to bring out our grit, determination and rage.

"Now we have to continue like this, as there are many games to the end of the season."

Stramaccioni also admitted that he felt that a point was a fair result for both sides, and the 37-year-old coach was proud of how his team turned the game around with their impressive second-half performance.

"Overall it was the right result. Milan had a great first half and put us under pressure, but Inter came out with a different attitude and spirit. I think we ended on more of a high than Milan, as they were suffering towards the finish... thanks also to the saves of Samir Handanovic.

"I will admit that in the first half Milan probably went closer to another goal than we did an equaliser. We didn’t start that badly, as until the goal Milan were troubling us on the flanks – which we expected – but we were in there."

Inter have endured a poor run of form lately which has seen them fall 14 points behind table-topping Juventus in the Scudetto race. However, the coach was quick to defend the displays of his players.

"It’s only right that I get criticised, as I am a young coach with no Serie A pedigree, but I think it’s unfair when the players are torn apart in the media. For example, Laziolost in an even worse way to Siena, but our team was treated like a disaster area. There are too many extremes in the judgment of this side.

"We’ve had many injuries this season and have to reinvent the attack once again. Milan are on world-beating form and Inter played their game tonight.”

Inter are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run at home in Serie A and occupy fourth spot in the table, one point behind Milan.

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