Inter, Martinez: "We are conceding too many goals, but it is not always the goalkeeper's fault. I deal with mistakes calmly"

From conceding too many goals to the ambition of taking on everyone in Italy and in Europe, the Inter goalkeeper spoke openly without holding back.

This is easily the biggest spell of Josep Martinez's career. Now Inter's first-choice goalkeeper and called up by Spain, he has plenty riding on what comes next. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport from the Roja camp, he reflected on the start to the season, where and how he can improve, Inter's ambition and the way mistakes are handled.

Too many goals conceded

"We’re doing well, but it is important to underline what we are not doing at our best, and I’m thinking above all of the defensive phase: we are conceding too many goals.

It is easy to look at the goalkeeper, but we are a team and from first to last we all have to raise our level, and I believe we will do it because if we have one characteristic it is that we are always hungry. We always want to win, to improve, to add something in every match so that we reach our best in the decisive moments of the season."

2-0 down too many times

"Clearly, we need to take another look at our first halves. We switched off in certain situations and we cannot allow ourselves that, but I am calm because the team are aware of the problem and that is where we will focus our attention.

It is a pity about the defeat here in Madrid. We came close to getting a result against a team of great quality. We are strong and we can compete with anyone, but to do that we have to avoid giving our rivals an advantage because sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it does not"

“I experience mistakes calmly”

"Mistakes? I take everything in my stride, in good times and bad. Anyone can make a mistake, the important thing is to analyse it so you don't repeat it, there is no other way. You mustn't point the finger at an individual when they make a mistake, because it's part of football.

Without mistakes, I'm not saying there would be no goals, but there would be far fewer. It happened to me, it can happen to someone else. The important thing in a team like Inter is to stay united and, if someone is having a bad day, try to help them. I repeat, naturally"

“We can compete with anyone”

"Are we starting again? I feel good about it, and not just physically: we are ready for everything that's coming, we are ambitious and we're setting ourselves no limits. We'll take on anyone, in Italy and in Europe"

The incident

"It is something you never forget. I know I will carry it with me forever. I think about it and try not to dwell on it too much because it can drain your energy. It was a tragedy and the only way to get over it is to look ahead. The difficult period is behind me and the fact I am here proves it.

I am at one of the best teams in Europe and in the strongest national team in the world. I look to the future with optimism, positivity and tremendous hunger. I want to keep winning matches and trophies with Inter, so that they call me up here again."