Ahead of the big derby clash between AC Milan and Inter, the former striker Christian Vieri was interviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport, seeing as he played for both sides.
Vieri is one of the few strikers who have played for both Milanese teams, even if he only got to make eight appearances with Milan, as opposed to 143 appearances and 103 goals for Inter. Either way, he certainly knows a thing or two about the Derby della Madonnina.
Interviewed by today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, Vieri shared his thoughts on all things Milan and Inter, from tomorrow’s game to the Scudetto race and the future of Luka Modric. Regarding the latter, he made his thoughts very clear.
If Inter win tomorrow, will they win the Scudetto?
“No Inter fan says anything because they don’t want to bring bad luck, but at 13 points with ten games to play, no team would be capable of catching this Inter. And besides, they practically always win against the ‘smaller’ teams. When you lose a Scudetto, it’s because you drop points here and there against the smaller teams.”
Leao said that for Milan, it’s a matter of life or death. Exaggerated?
“There are other issues around the world that have to do with death, but he said it to inspire everyone: the team, the environment. But these aren’t the kind of games where a president, a coach, or a teammate needs to say something: you just get motivated yourself. Certain things are needed when you’re playing ‘easy’ games, not for these.”
Inter haven’t won a derby in two years: six games, to be precise. Could that be a factor?
“I don’t see why it would: the derby is random.”
Is it also a coincidence that against the other top six teams in the table, Inter have so far only picked up 13 points, losing three times, and Milan have picked up 16 points without losing once?
“Coincidental in the sense that it could have depended on the timing of certain matches: how they and their opponents were doing. But it’s a bit like when people say Lautaro doesn’t score in big games. I don’t see any mental burdens: if it’s Inter or Lautaro, what problem do I have in my head?”
What does Inter have to do to avoid thinking about the reverse fixture? Twenty shots, hit the post twice, and no goals.
“Milan also won on the counterattack, because they are much stronger on the counterattack than Inter. Inter know how Milan play and therefore, Chivu will work hard on defensive transitions: if necessary, even with a nice tactical foul.”
Allegri’s Milan so far: basically always 3-5-2, possibly 4-3-3 during the match. Even on Sunday?
“These are numbers. It’s only in Italy that we talk about them so much. If they want to win the derby, Milan will have to attack. Noone knows how to do it with the players they have better than Allegri.”
A year ago, before the return derby, you told us: “If I were Inzaghi, I’d take Leao from Milan. If I were Conceicao, I’d take eight or nine from Inter.” And today?
“Today I’d say Leao, Modric, Rabiot, and Maignan. And seven or eight from Inter, because Lautaro has already been ruled out due to injury.”
Will his absence weigh more heavily than Gabbia, Loftus-Cheek and Gimenez for Milan?
“Lautaro is the best centre forward in Italy, he’s Inter’s turbo: whatever he does during a match, you’ll miss him, especially since he can change things at any moment. However, this year Inter have what they lacked in the past: ‘non-starter’ strikers who are up to par.”
And Pio Esposito is practically a starter now…
“But the fact hasn’t changed that, unfortunately, in Italy we don’t know how to manage young players: one day he’s very strong and the next day he’s disappointing. ‘Why couldn’t you score that goal?’. Pio isn’t even 21 yet, and the journey from Spezia to Inter is significant.”
But do you think he has grown up?
“Yes, otherwise, at such a young age, he wouldn’t be able to compete physically, even in Europe. Now, when he gets the ball, he plays it more than before; he’s got the touch that even helps set up a teammate. Then it’s clear that, with that build, he needs to be served based on his characteristics: you only see the full Pio Esposito if you give him seven or eight crosses per half.”
Speaking of crosses: Is Dimarco the best player in the league?
“More than that. With his performance and consistency, he’s the best crosser in Europe. The way he hits them, as many as he does, no one else can do. And this year he’s even scoring more, because Inter attack so much and with so many players.”
Do Inter still have one of the best midfields in Europe?
“I expected more from everyone, not just Barella, who we all think has been a bit down for a while. That’s understandable, as he has already played nearly 40 games since August. But even Calhanoglu is struggling to find consistency, and it’s more noticeable: when he’s in the mix, Inter change their game.”
Milan are stronger between the posts, right?
“Sommer is always a solid goalkeeper, but Maignan is doing extraordinary things.”
Amazed by Modric?
“Only in Italy do we talk so much about players’ ages. He was at Real Madrid and played there, just last year, not ten years ago. If I were at Milan, I wouldn’t just renew his contract, I would give him a five-year contract.”
For Milan today, is he or Rabiot more essential?
“Why just one? They’re perfect together. And well done Allegri for capitalising on the relationship he had with Rabiot to get them both.”
Let’s suppose Milan win and move within 7 points of Inter: could the last 10 games really have an impact=
“I don’t talk about maybes, buts, or ifs. The seven-point margin would weigh heavily: Inter would have to lose three and Milan would have to win every game…”
It remains to be seen how the game ends, but was also clear from Massimiliano Allegri’s presser that focus is on getting three points for the Champions League race, not necessarily the Scudetto race. As Vieri says, it’s probably too little too late.
