Former AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has discussed the upcoming Champions League derby between the Rossoneri and Inter, suggesting that it will be an extremely unpredictable tie.
Speaking during an interview with Milan News, Abbiati spoke with experience about what is coming for the Rossoneri given he was part of the last Euroderby between the two sides in 2003.
When asked what the atmosphere in the dressing room was like before that first game in 2003, Abbiati explained the anxiety the players felt and the unpredictability.
“As all my former teammates are saying, the atmosphere was very tense, there was very high pressure having an extra derby. For me, and for some other Milan teammates, it was very important, there was a bit of anxiety. We were confident in our means, but it was still a derby and you never know how it will turn out,” Abbiati said.
There is immense excitement among all involved with Italian football about Inter and Milan facing each other for a place in the 2022/23 Champions League final, and Abbiati explained how beautiful it was for him to be a part of that in 2003.
“When you get to a certain point in the Champions League it didn’t change that much, anyway we, Juventus, Real Madrid and Inter were in it until the end. The derby, of course, was something more. Now it’s easy to talk about it because it went well that year, but a derby in the Champions League semi-final is a very beautiful thing,” Abbiati explained.
Abbiati was also asked about the quality of the goalkeeper that Milan will have between the sticks when they take on Inter, Mike Maignan.
“I didn’t know him and he is surprising me, he is very very good,” he said.
