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Sneijder hits back at Van Basten: I'm fully focused on Inter
The legendary Dutch striker has attributed his compatriot's poor form to a bad attitude, claiming that the trequartista has already written off the Nerazzurri's season
Feb 22, 2012 10:00:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder has rejected Marco van Basten's claim that he has lost focus and is already thinking about Euro 2012.
The Nerazzurri trequartista has had his fitness problems this season but Dutch legend Van Basten believes that his compatriot's poor form of late is more a question of attitude, arguing that Sneijder has effectively written off the current campaign in light of his club's stuttering form.
However, Sneijder insists that he is as motivated as ever and is fully focused on the first leg of Inter's Champions League last 16 clash with Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night.
“I’m not thinking of Euro 2012 yet," the attacking midfielder wrote on Twitter. "I live from game to game!!
"So I'm thinking [only] about tonight’s game ... With concentration and as a professional. I'm ready ..."
Van Basten had argued that Sneijder's struggles have a lot to do with the departure of former coach Jose Mourinho for Real Madrid in 2010.
"He's one of the best midfielders in the world; the problem is his mentality," the former AC Milan star told Sky Sport Italia.
"He knows he cannot win the championship and is already thinking about the European Championship.
"When Mourinho was there, he was at his most motivated but now at Inter there is a bit more chaos and suffering.
"But it's not just the fault of Inter, it's also Sneijder, who should be more professional."
Sneijder's attitude has also been called into question by Inter icon Sandro Mazzola.
"The Dutchman should not play the prima donna," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Sneijder should play just as he did with Mourinho and Netherlands. Lately, he has forgotten how."
Sneijder played a key role in Inter's treble triumph of 2010 but current coach Claudio Ranieri has repeatedly admitted in recent weeks that he is unsure of how best to deploy the former Real Madrid man.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
The Nerazzurri trequartista has had his fitness problems this season but Dutch legend Van Basten believes that his compatriot's poor form of late is more a question of attitude, arguing that Sneijder has effectively written off the current campaign in light of his club's stuttering form.
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However, Sneijder insists that he is as motivated as ever and is fully focused on the first leg of Inter's Champions League last 16 clash with Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night.
“I’m not thinking of Euro 2012 yet," the attacking midfielder wrote on Twitter. "I live from game to game!!
"So I'm thinking [only] about tonight’s game ... With concentration and as a professional. I'm ready ..."
Van Basten had argued that Sneijder's struggles have a lot to do with the departure of former coach Jose Mourinho for Real Madrid in 2010.
"He's one of the best midfielders in the world; the problem is his mentality," the former AC Milan star told Sky Sport Italia.
"He knows he cannot win the championship and is already thinking about the European Championship.
"When Mourinho was there, he was at his most motivated but now at Inter there is a bit more chaos and suffering.
"But it's not just the fault of Inter, it's also Sneijder, who should be more professional."
Sneijder's attitude has also been called into question by Inter icon Sandro Mazzola.
"The Dutchman should not play the prima donna," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Sneijder should play just as he did with Mourinho and Netherlands. Lately, he has forgotten how."
Sneijder played a key role in Inter's treble triumph of 2010 but current coach Claudio Ranieri has repeatedly admitted in recent weeks that he is unsure of how best to deploy the former Real Madrid man.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
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