[LaVecchiaSignora]

Alvaro Recoba feels as if he has been reborn at Torino and feels he should have left Inter earlier. “They didn’t understand me.”

The Uruguayan was an enigma during his decade at San Siro, with moments of utter brilliance peppering an otherwise mediocre career.


He has been reunited with his old Venezia boss Walter Novellino and already found the back of the net in last week’s impressive 1-1 draw at Palermo.


“I am very satisfied, as I immediately felt important to this side. I got what I wanted – to go home happy or sad based only on what I do on the pitch,” explained Chino.


“At Inter I only ever played if one of my teammates was injured or out of shape. Here I can express myself however I like in a relaxed atmosphere. I know that I can make mistakes and not be destroyed.”


The Nerazzurri are back in a pressure cooker situation after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Fenerbahce.


“It’s a shame, because if possible Massimo Moratti has done even more this year to get the great satisfaction of a Champions League trophy. There is time, though, he can win everything.


“As for the Scudetto, I think Roma are the favourites, right now they are the strongest team around and have completed their squad. It will be a great fight with Inter and Milan.”


It was the spectacular six months he spent on loan at Venezia that convinced Inter to splash out on a rich new contract for Recoba in 1999. How is it being back under Novellino’s watch?


“He’s gotten worse! Maybe it’s because I was younger at Venezia, but I don’t remember him working us so hard!”


Recoba has found a new strike partner in Italian Under-21 international Alessandro Rosina – nicknamed Rosinaldo – but he is in contract renegotiations with the club.


“I advise him to reach an agreement with Toro and to stay for another 10 years. He can write the history of this club. Everyone loves him and I know what it means to feel that support. Ale can choose a big side, but he would run into so much competition and the problems I had.”

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