Alvarez pleased to finish on high note

Inter midfielder Ricky Alvarez said his side’s 4-1 win over Lecce on Wednesday was the “best possible way” to end the calendar year.

Lecce surprisingly took the lead after 20 minutes of play at the San Sieo, but Inter fought back as Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso and Alvarez all found the net to help the hosts to the three points.

“I’m happy because we ended the year in the best possible way,” Alvarez told the Inter Channel. “We played well and more importantly we won the game because that’s what we had to do.”

The Argentine midfielder has worked hard to cement a starting place in Claudio Ranieri’s team since his arrival in Milan at the start of the season, but said he was still not at his best.

“What I did was important because we won, otherwise it wouldn’t have been of any importance, that’s why I’m happy. Now we can have a rest and then we’ll think about the future,” he said.

“I definitely still have a lot to do, I’m close to my best but I still have work to do.”

“This is a different type of football but I’m happy because I’m fit, I’m working and everyone here has faith in me – I need that to be able to do well.”

After a disappointing start to the 2011-12 campaign, Inter have climbed to fifth spot on the Serie A table with 26 points from 16 games.