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Ibrahimovic claims questioned

Image: Materazzi: Team game

Marco Materazzi and Mancini have questioned Zlatan Ibrahimovic's claims that he was behind Inter's success.

Materazzi and Mancini disagree with Ibra assessment

Marco Materazzi and Mancini have both questioned Zlatan Ibrahimovic's claims that Inter Milan's success in recent seasons was down to him. The Sweden international heaped praise on himself recently after claiming, "before my arrival (Inter) had not won anything for 17 years". Ibrahimovic's Inter spell came to an end this summer after he joined Barcelona, with Cameroon ace Samuel Eto'o moving in the opposite direction. The 27-year-old makes a swift return to Giuseppe Meazza next Wednesday when Inter host Barca in the opening round of UEFA Champions League group matches.

Team game

Materazzi has taken exception to Ibrahimovic's claim, stating the team as a whole deserve the credit, and he believes the home faithful will have the final say on the matter. "Thanks Ibra for the three Scudetti? We will see on Wednesday," explained the one-time Everton defender. "The thing that can be most painful for a person is indifference. He helped us win three Scudetti but we were a team." Mancini believes his former colleague's words were exaggerated, stating the club won plenty during their illustrious history prior to his arrival.
Provocative
"He has done important things with us and won three Scudetti, but his remarks struck me as a bit provocative and exaggerated," Mancini said in Corriere dello Sport. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion and we need to respect that but it's not like he says. Inter have existed for 100 years and had won trophies before his arrival." Meanwhile, the Brazilian is keen to have an improved season with the Nerazzurri after a disappointing Serie A campaign last time around. "I now hope to have a different season than last year," he continued. "I am eager to prove a point and go back to being the Mancini you all know. It's the beginning of a new life for me."

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