Interview: Fernandinho – “I Feel A Warmth For City Fans And Want To Win Titles For Them”

Manchester City Brazil, the largest resource for Portuguese-speaking City supporters, conducted an interview with Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho before the most recent fixture with Hull. Here, with their kind permission, I’ve translated it into English. Enjoy!

Fernandinho was signed by Manchester City on June 6th 2013. There was an element of suspicion when he signed, with English fans questioning the arrival of yet another Brazilian. His predecessors had not exactly shone. Here at Manchester City Brazil, we always had faith in Fernandinho’s ability and believe we were the first means of communication from outside the club to conduct an interview with the player in September 2013.

Looking back at that interview, we see now that all the player’s wishes came true. He won titles, competed in the World Cup and earned the respect and love of City’s supporters.We caught up with Fernandinho again, this time to found out how everything is going for him in Manchester since that first interview.

Manchester City Brazil: Fernandinho, we’re speaking again after a year and a half. How has your adaptation been to the city and the club during that time?

Fernandinho: The adaptation has been calm, especially on the pitch. I know my teammates well and they also know me. That obviously helps on a day to day basis in the dressing room and consequently during games. I’m very happy with how I’ve settled.

Manchester City Brazil: When we interviewed you the first time, you said you wanted to change the image City supporters had of Brazilian players. Do you think you have achieved that? Do you think you can still do more?

Fernandinho: I hope I’ve changed their impression, yes! In any team, those who leave a mark are those who win titles. In my first year we won two, so that’s super important. And I’m aware that if we always maintain the same level, trying to always play with the same style, then there will be a pattern with our performances. I think that pleases the fans. The City fans understand the performances of the players very well. What I want the most is to win titles for City because I already feel an enormous warmth for everyone here.

Manchester City Brazil: It’s not easy to live so far away from our home country. What do you miss the most about Brazil?

Fernandinho: Yes, that’s true. It’s not easy to live so far away, but I’ve always tried to focus on my career and giving my best. I’ve managed to do that over the last ten years. Without doubt, though, what I miss the most are Sunday lunches with all the family together. It’s pure happiness – friends and family, chats and laughs. That makes me very happy!

Manchester City Brazil: From your time in England, how would you compare the English supporters to Brazilian ones, on and off the pitch? How do their behaviours differ?

Fernandinho: In my first year, I realised that English supporters (mainly City fans) support their teams a lot, even in adverse moments. In Brazil, the desperation for results sometimes crosses the barriers. We’ve seen various examples of fans attacking players and that’s horrible. If that were to happen here, I think the supporter would never be able to go to another game of football. As for their behaviour during the game, Brazilians are a show in themselves – they sing all the time and they convey a positive energy. That’s not so much the case in England – they express themselves more after a goal.

Manchester City Brazil: With regards to atmosphere, which English stadium have you liked playing in or in which ground have you felt a different pressure from the stands?

Fernandinho: I think it’s fair to say the big games away from home were special, with that sense of it being an important and decisive game. I love that. But an atmosphere that I found interesting was Goodison Park. The fans are very close to the pitch and it feels like a cauldron. It was very good to play there.

Manchester City Brazil: At City, you’ve played in a slightly deeper position and also further forward. Where do you like playing the most?

Fernandinho: Correct. I’ve had the opportunity to play in both positions, but the most important thing for me was managing to adapt to the team’s system. When it comes to positional preferences, I just want to be on the pitch and among the starting eleven. Anything I can do to help the team win, I will, irrespective of my position on the pitch.

Manchester City Brazil: Now you know the rest of the squad, who is the loudest player and what’s the dressing room like with players from so many nationalities?

Fernandinho: I’m not sure who is the loudest, but without doubt one of the best players for keeping the dressing room atmosphere healthy is Kolarov – he’s a great guy. As for the dressing room, it’s easy with all the different nationalities. Everything is based on respect. We don’t have any problems.

Manchester City Brazil: City are five points behind Chelsea at the moment after clawing back an eight point lead in December. Do you think the team has the fight again to catch Chelsea and win the title? (Interview conducted before the draw with Hull, a result which left City trailing by seven points.)

Fernandinho: Five points is not a gap that we wanted – we would like to have been in front of them, but it is what it is. I believe we have the ability to catch them up in the table and be there to battle for the title in May.

Manchester City Brazil: After qualifying at the last hurdle in the Champions League, what are your hopes for the games against Barcelona? Do you think there can be a different outcome this time around?

Fernandinho: After the game against Roma, I was more convinced than ever that we can go far in the Champions League. The Champions League is just that – you have to keep going until the final breath. I’m sure that this year will be different. I can’t wait for the tie.

Manchester City Brazil: What are your first impressions of the City Football Academy and of the future of the club?

Fernandinho: Simply fantastic. The best training facilities in the world. The club gave everything to build the new facilities because future generations will be able to enjoy them a lot and raise the level of the team.

A huge thanks to Manchester City Brazil for conducting the interview. You can follow them on Twitter or read their blog.

Follow @viewfromablue