Football
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Nemanja Vidic 'to be a success in Italy'

Former Inter Milan player Dejan Stankovic has backed Nemanja Vidic to shine in Serie A after joining the Nerazzurri this summer.

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Vidic, 32, arrived at Inter on a free transfer earlier this month following the end of his contract with Manchester United

And after having coped with the demands of the Premier League, Stankovic is sure the Italian game will not prove to be a problem for the defender.

"I told him that in Italy there is a lot of attention paid to the organisation on the pitch -- to tactics," Stankovic told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"For years he has faced very strong strikers on a one-to-one basis, who would come at him like on a motorway. Here he will play with a cigarette in his mouth."

Vidic will still have to adapt to the tactical demands of the Italian game, but Stankovic, who this summer agreed to become assistant coach at Udinese, does not see that causing him any problems either.

"He might not be used to playing in a three-man defence, but he will learn quickly because he is a very intelligent, experienced player and can read the game in advance," he said. "He can find a spot before the striker does."

While Vidic may have to change his game to suit Serie A, Stankovic expects his former Serbia teammate to be as brave on the pitch as ever in Italy.

"I would say we share the same courage," Stankovic said. "Do you know the film "Braveheart"? That's it. So many times I've had to tell him, 'Nema, think about your own health' because so many times he broke his nose or cut his forehead with a tackle, because he just goes for it, without thinking."

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