FREY: I CHOSE TO LEAVE UNSUPPORTIVE INTER

The French goalkeeper moved to Parma as part of the goalkeeper merry go-round that saw Francesco Toldo join Inter from Fiorentina, and Gianluigi Buffon move to Juventus from Parma, and has become an instant favourite with the Gialloblu fans.

Frey admits that he could not deal with the Inter fans turning against the team because of a few bad displays, and agreed that he may be too honest for his own good.

"I like the peace at Parma, the fans are not against you when you make one mistake," says the confident young keeper. "We lost against Lille but the whole stadium applauded us for our efforts after the final whistle.

"I chose to leave Inter. I was very honest with my club - I wanted a strong club, a very ambitious one, who were prepared to defend their players. It was not like this at Inter.

"I discovered that telling the truth is not always a quality in this life."

Frey can pinpoint where his relationship with the fans soured, and admitted he is pleased to have traded 80,000 critics for 20,000 supporters.

"When I was injured it was very difficult to get back to full fitness. I think I was the best goalkeeper in Serie A, then it went downhill for all of us.

"I think that I made the right step. Inter has a big stadium, but if 80,000 people whistle you than I would prefer 20,000 who are with me."

Frey could not save his side from an early ignominious exit from the Champions League in the preliminary stage, the second time in consecutive years he has gone out of the competition before the first group stage.

"We have to work harder," added Frey. "We have put the loss behind us, but you must be very strong in the national league, very strong in training - everything.

"We must transform this rage about elimination into an important characteristic.

"Personally my worst moment in Italy came in the 6-0 loss to Milan in the derby last year, I believe that my mentality is my strong point and I don't really have a weakness."