Cruz's Inter wonderland

Good run
After joining the Nerazzurri from Bologna FC in August 2003, Cruz was not always been guaranteed a place in the starting XI. In recent months, however, he has never been far from coach Roberto Mancini's thoughts as he strives to bring some long-overdue silverware to the black-and-blue side of Milan.

Competitive environment
"It is important to remember that you are playing for a big club where there are lots of excellent players," Cruz told uefa.com. "You must be patient and work hard to earn a place in the starting XI. That's my mentality. At the moment things are going well - I'm scoring and that means more minutes on the field."

Different partners
With Mancini rotating his lineup to give Adriano and Obafemi Martins their share of opportunities, Cruz has had to get used to playing alongside different strike partners. "I just try to adapt to all the other forwards so that we can achieve our aim," he said. Flexibility is a necessary requirement at a club where new personnel arrive so frequently. "I've been at Inter for the last three years," said Cruz. "It takes a player between six months and a year to adapt so you have to be patient to reach a good understanding with your team-mates."

Useful form
Cruz certainly seems to have struck up a good understanding with his team this year, having already scored five goals in Serie A as well as three in the UEFA Champions League, including both in the 2-1 Matchday 4 win against FC Porto. "The Champions League is a prestigious competition at world level, and the fact that Inter can play and be one of the candidates to win it demands a lot of work and many sacrifices," he said.

Uneven results
However, this season at least, good performances in Europe seem to have come at the expense of less impressive form at home. Despite being fourth in Serie A - ten points adrift of league leaders Juventus - Cruz remains optimistic, saying: "The competitions are just beginning and Inter still have every chance of winning both."

Contract expiry
Such an outcome would doubtless give Cruz an exceptional bargaining tool as he seeks an extension to a contract due to expire at the end of the season. It would also set him up nicely for Argentina's participation in next summer's FIFA World Cup finals. "It is important to know that we have to keep on working and always trying to make progress," said Cruz. "Being given the chance to play for the national team is very important; it's a great gift. We have to take every opportunity we are given and in every game we play."