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"Jose Mourinho moved me into midfield so we could play together: he was a full-back with the soul of a striker" Javier Zanetti on the team-mate so good, he had to change positions to play with him

Javier Zanetti recently reflected on how a managerial tactical shift allowed him to extend his lengthy career at Inter after spending over a decade firmly anchored in his traditional defensive position. Following the arrival of Jose Mourinho, the veteran captain was reassigned to a midfield role to accommodate the attacking brilliance of a teammate who operated aggressively down the flank.

That tactical adjustment ultimately helped fuel the Italian squad's memorable triple-trophy campaign in the historic 2010 season.

Speaking about the dynamics of that era, the Argentine icon highlighted how seamless defensive cover allowed both players to advance effectively without leaving gaps at the back. He also praised the remarkable talent of another former teammate who spent a single campaign with the club before achieving legendary status elsewhere in Europe.

Reflecting on world football history, the defender noted that Brazil has consistently produced the finest wide defenders across generations.

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