Inter have full confidence in Jonathan, insists Zanetti

The Nerazzurri skipper has made it clear that the Serie A side still have complete faith in the Brazilian defender, despite his difficult start to the season

Javier Zanetti has stressed that Inter still have full confidence in Brazilian wing-back Jonathan.

The 26-year-old has featured regularly for the Nerazzurri this term following the departure of Maicon to Manchester City in the summer transfer window, but he has been unable to make much of an impact so far.

Jonathan was replaced after 47 minutes of Inter's 2-2 Europa League draw against Rubin Kazan on Thursday, yet Zanetti has made it clear that he still has the support of his team-mates and the club.

"Jonathan? I reassured him on the pitch that we have full confidence in him. He is a really decent lad who is dedicated in training. We must stick by him," the experienced Argentine told Inter Channel.

The right-back joined Inter from Santos in the summer of 2011, but has been struggling to live up to the high expectations at the Serie A giants.

He spent the second half of the 2011-12 campaign on loan at Parma.