Former Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer says that Italy pulled off a great move in securing the international services of Alessandro Romano, but says that he is not the person to ask when it comes to the allegiance of his Club Brugge teammate Nicolo Tresoldi: ‘That’s up to him’.
Sommer spoke in-depth in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of his return to San Siro to take on Inter in the Champions League with Club Brugge on Tuesday night.
This is his first return to Milan since leaving Inter at the end of his contract back in June. The Swiss veteran won two Serie A titles in three years with the Nerazzurri and was also part of the side that made it to the final of the 2024-25 Champions League.
Now aged 37, Sommer is still a Champions League goalkeeper with Club Brugge, but says that he now finds himself involved in a different sort of project compared to the one at Inter.
“It’s a different project to the one at Inter, a different business model,” Sommer explained.
“Here, they’re focused on bringing through young players who can grow in the league and get experience in the Champions League. We have structures in place like the rest of the big European clubs, though. It’s a great environment for youngsters, but also for the older guys like me.
“I still feel good and have a lot of motivation. I want to improve, train well and give everything. I will continue as long as that’s the case. I love playing in goal. Why would I think about quitting?”
Sommer comments on Stankovic, Tresoldi and Romano futures
La Gazzetta dello Sport was keen to ask Sommer about a few of the Inter and Italy youngsters that have excelled at Club Brugge, including Aleksandar Stankovic and Tresodli, who has not yet made a decision as to whether to represent Italy or Germany at senior international level.
“I only briefly crossed paths with Stankovic, but they’ve told me a lot of good things about him,” said Sommer.
“Tresoldi, meanwhile, could become a top European striker, 100%. He’s humble, professional and has the qualities to play at a big club.”
Sommer was asked if he has practiced speaking any Italian with Tresoldi.
He replied: “But also in German. Don’t ask me which national team he should choose, that’s up to him. But speaking of players with dual nationalities, Romano is also really great. He has a lot of talent and Italy have made a great move there, it’s a shame he won’t play for Switzerland.”
Did Sommer feel he had more to give at Inter and did he want to stay beyond the summer?
“No, we talked about it with the club and I decided it was the right time to part ways. Everything was perfect and the relationship with the club is still excellent. I loved playing in the Inter shirt and I loved playing in San Siro. It was an important chapter in my career.”
Does Sommer feel like he played his best football in Italy?
“It’s hard to say. I’m happy with what we did as a team and what I did as a goalkeeper. We were the best team in Italy for those three years and I think Inter still are. I liked our style of football, building from the back. At Inter, there were some games without much to do, but you still have to make important decisions that most people don’t see. Not necessarily great saves, but other things matter as well. I’ve always tried to be consistent.”
Sommer was asked if he still keeps in contact with any of his old colleagues from Inter.
He replied: “I’ve played with Akanji for many years in the national team. I hear from Calha, Pavard and the goalkeeping staff every once in a while. Inter will always be a home and it doesn’t feel like I’ll be playing away.”
And does he have any advice for his former understudy and current no.1 Nerazzurri goalkeeper Josep Martinez?
“He doesn’t need my advice, he’s an excellent goalkeeper with a lot of potential and he’s also a great guy. We had a great relationship in Milan. I’ve watched a few games and don’t agree with everyone’s judgement. He’s doing well and playing for Inter is difficult, there’s a lot of pressure. I’m happy that he’s getting this chance and got to go with his national team. He deserves it.”
And when asked which of his former teammates have impressed him the most recently, Sommer said: “I adore Pio Esposito. He’s humble and a really great guy. He has a lot of power, he’s very physical, he represents the new generation in Italy.
“There’s also Lautaro and Thuram at Inter, two top players, but they’re different types of players. I’m convinced that Pio will play a lot of games. You need somebody like that in certain situations.”