Stevan Jovetic claims he did not 'fail' at Manchester City and says he can see himself as an Inter leader.
The 25-year-old took only two Serie A games to win over the Nerazzurri fans, earning a victory for their team twice at the last gasp.
In an interview with Il Corriere della Sera, he said he hadn't changed as a player compared to when he was at Manchester City.
“I knew I was in good shape,” he said. “All I needed was a bit of space and continuity, which is what I lacked with them.
Stevan Jovetic claims he did not 'fail' at Manchester City and says he can see himself as an Inter leader.
The 25-year-old took only two Serie A games to win over the Nerazzurri fans, earning a victory for their team twice at the last gasp.
In an interview with Il Corriere della Sera, he said he hadn't changed as a player compared to when he was at Manchester City.
“I knew I was in good shape,” he said. “All I needed was a bit of space and continuity, which is what I lacked with them.
“As for the goals, I've always scored those.
“I didn't fail [with the Citizens] and my goal-per-minute ratio shows that quite clearly.
“But I can't score goals from the bench if the Coach doesn't let me play.”
The Montenegrin then turned to discussing the differences between football in Italy and England.
“In the Premier League people always want to win and they attack from the beginning to the end.
“It doesn't matter if you're trailing 2-0, the losing team never gives up.
“Here teams close themselves, the game is slower, more tactical, and it offers less spaces.
“Me as an Inter leader? I feel important, and that's a good sign. Inter bolstered their squad, they have many champions, but I know who I am.
“I don't see anything strange in thinking of myself as a leader.
“I have good feelings for the derby. It's going to be a tied-up game.
“They are going to close up shop, they have a good defence.
“A victory would give us great confidence and after that everything would be easier.
“Milan would then be at -6 from us, like Juventus, and catching up is never easy.
“My personal objectives? I have a number of goals in my head and I know I can reach that, I'm always hungry.”
Jovetic was then asked about Inter's new signing Adem Ljajic, who used to play with him at Fiorentina.
“He's a brother, my ideal partner and one of the best players in Serie A.
“The top three players? [Gonzalo] Higuain, because he scored a lot.
“[Paul] Pogba, because he's young, he plays in the midfield but still scores goals and creates assists and has fun.
“And Ljajic, because he has enormous potential. He can score 15 goals.”
Finally, Jovetic had a comment about Coach Roberto Mancini.
“I've followed him for a long time, he won a lot, he's great with tactics.”