Web users in Milan flocking to view news about Arnautovic's whereabouts
At precisely noon, our digital publication reaches Viale dello Sport. After a six-hour journey from Vienna, comprising of a train, a flight, two additional trains, and a brief taxi ride, we've arrived. Viale dello Sport is a secluded, cul-de-sac street, appropriately named. Here, in Appiano Gentile, a town of nearly 8,000 residents, 40 kilometers north of Milan, the football stars of FC Internazionale Milano labor daily.
Today, even under the shining sun at 25 degrees Celsius, the gates remain closed. A security guard stationed at the gate informs us we can enter in half an hour. His fluency in English sets him apart here, and the sweltering heat appears to make him uncomfortable, given his dark attire—a black suit, shirt, tie, and sunglasses.
Entering the training center of a world-class club is an extraordinary experience. Although not all doors are open to the myriad journalists who have gathered, the UEFA requires both finalists to hold a "Media Day" prior to the prestigious Champions League final. The match will be broadcast globally, and reporters from every nation are eager to hear what the protagonists have to convey.
Upon entering, we first pass a training pitch, meticulously maintained, like a manicured golf course. Continuing towards the main building, we find a press conference room, workspace area, and a small buffet. The offerings are described in two languages, with the "Pizza Margherita" also labeled as "Margherita Pizza." The staff ensures everyone navigates the premises effortlessly.
Nagaja Beccalossi, Inter's press chief, confirms that 150 journalists are present today, including one from Brazil for Carlos Augusto. Our digital publication hopes for some quotes from Marko Arnautovic.
Simone Inzaghi, the head coach, answers questions for half an hour during the press conference. Then, two players take the podium. Marcus Thuram, a powerful striker who will attack alongside Lautaro Martínez on Saturday, discusses Arnautovic's importance to the team. "Marko is a significant figure in the locker room for the team, he often chats with the young players and has scored a few crucial goals this season," the Frenchman remarks about Arnautovic.
After the press conferences, the crowd dissipates. Reporters spread out to various locations, waiting patiently for the players they have chosen. It's 3:30 PM when Arnautovic emerges from the training facilities. Austria's most capped player (123 caps, 39 goals) recognizes the face from Austria, greets warmly, and promises to be available soon. However, a waiting game ensues as he first attends the "flash zone," where television stations eagerly await, having paid substantial sums for Champions League broadcasting rights. Only then does he proceed to the "mixed zone," where all other journalists are stationed, creating a bustling environment. Arnautovic's Italian fluency earns him laughter from local reporters, and he is in jovial spirits, pleasing the visiting journalist from Vienna who, along with a German colleague, awaits their turn after the last Italian question. The tension heightens as Arnautovic informs them that he has to be on the pitch in ten minutes, pushing the interview along, with the time now nearing 4:45 PM.
Stay tuned for the interview with Marko Arnautovic in our Saturday edition.
The secluded street of Viale dello Sport, named appropriately for its proximity to the world of sports, is home to the daily labor of football stars in FC Internazionale Milano. Today, our digital publication finds itself among the multitude of journalists at the training center of the UEFA's Champions League finalists, eager to glean insights from the players. Among them, Marko Arnautovic, a key figure for the team, discusses his importance in the locker room and in crucial matches.
