The midfielder scored in 2001: “I scored the third goal and then I became a father. For this match I trust Max”
A goal in the historic derby won 6-0 by Milan and eight days later… the birth of his daughter Greta. Federico Giunti does not forget May 2001, in particular the (full) week that goes from the success in the derby on May 11th… to the pink ribbon on the 19th for the arrival of Greta. “Two joys like this are remembered for a lifetime – he admitted -, imagine if they arrive within a short time”.
Arrived, what was his last derby at Milan. Closing better wasn’t possible…
“In fact I wasn’t hoping for such a clear success because less than two months earlier we had changed coach (Cesare Maldini instead of Zaccheroni, ed.) and because the season hadn’t taken a good turn. That statement relaunched us.”
The Rossoneri fans still remember that 6-0.
“After the first two goals Gattuso grabbed me by the hair and pulled at me with the determination he had. Then I scored the free kick to make it 3-0 and he limited himself… to hug me (laughs, ed.). Rino is like a younger brother to me: I was the captain of Perugia promoted from B to A (in 1995-96, ed.) when he wasn’t even eighteen yet in the first team. It’s a shame that one day he disappeared to go to Scotland…”.
Allegri was also there in that Perugia.
“He was at my side in midfield and, although I wore the armband, he was the true leader and captain. We achieved promotion together, but Max left the following year in January. It’s a shame because he had an incredible personality. I wasn’t surprised to see him achieve certain results as a coach.”
So do you agree with Milan’s choice to bring him back… home last summer?
“Allegri is a master at putting things right and giving serenity to the group. Milan needed it after last season’s results: now the players are forced to give their all because there are no more alibis. Max is a real winner. It wasn’t possible to find a better coach.”
Let’s go back to that “unpredictable” derby.
“We went onto the pitch with a clear head, Inter didn’t because their season had probably been even more complicated than ours. We wanted to redeem ourselves and give satisfaction to the fans, so we pulled off a crazy performance with an unprecedented 4-4-2: Kaladze and I as central midfielders, Gattuso and Serginho as wingers. Sergio was impregnable and provided three assists as well as scoring the goal to make it 6-0; Comandini and Shevchenko both scored one double. It was a crazy night.”
In the summer of 2001 she left the Rossoneri who won the Champions League in 2003. Do you regret?
“I still had the contract with Milan which would have confirmed me, but Mazzone wanted me at Brescia and Roberto Baggio’s pressure pushed me to say yes. In retrospect I wouldn’t make that choice again because I went from a team with which I had won the 1998-99 scudetto to one that was fighting for survival: the change in mentality was important for me and I had to adapt. Then I went to Turkey and opened a path for many Italian colleagues who later went to the Turkish championship: winning the title with Besiktas was a satisfaction.”
In Brescia he had Tare as a partner.
“He made Mazzone’s fortune because he was a physically strong center forward who was a good point of reference up front. He alternated with Toni and scored goals. He understands football and is making a good contribution to Milan.”
If you had to explain to the players who arrived at Milanello this year what the derby is, what words would you use?
“It’s a special match that in my time the club also prepared meticulously. With Berlusconi and Galliani the management of the club was familiar and we players had to think only of the pitch: the rest, from the school for the children to the babysitters through to the choice of the house and the car, was handled by someone from Milan. We all felt obliged to give more than 100%. Always, but especially in the derbies which were special matches where the fans pushed you to pour in every last drop of sweat. When you saw certain choreographies while cornering, it gave you shivers.”
What race are you expecting tomorrow?
“Competitively tight and as usual, felt to the fullest. Don’t ask me the result or the favourite, but Milan with Allegri will get there fired up and prepared.”
Who will be decisive for the Rossoneri?
“Modric who for me is… football. When he touches the ball, it’s a spectacle.”
“The four attackers all integrate perfectly. Whoever Chivu chooses, he doesn’t make mistakes. Lautaro, however, is the most dangerous.”
The championship will be a long… derby for the championship?
“Absolutely yes. The table is short and, after the change of coach, Juve is not out of the running because Inter and Roma have already lost three matches. A lot… If Max starts scoring points consistently, it will be tough for everyone.”
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