Interviewed by those at Tuttosport, former Juventus and AC Milan full-back, Gianluca Zambrotta, talked about tomorrow night's match between the Rossoneri and the Bianconeri. Here are his words:
"It is always nice to see this type of match first of all because we are talking about two teams that have made the history of Italian football as well as of international one. Then, as far as I'm concerned, there are the memories that bring me to my past in Turin and Milan. It is clear that I always end up looking at this challenge with different eyes."
On his past at Juventus:
"Surely the 1999-2000 season comes out, even if it was not very lucky since it is that of the Scudetto lost in Perugia on the last day ... But it remains impressed by me because it is the first year in a great team like Juve. And then I think of the first Scudetto won, the famous one in 2002 in Udine. Those were clearly years of very strong emotions for a young man who came from the two seasons at Bari."
On his experience with Milan:
"The Scudetto won in 2011, which is the penultimate in the history of Milan. And then I think back to the Super Cup won in China, in Beijing, against Inter. Those were the most important moments in the Rossoneri's 4 years."
Zambrotta added:
"Milan in the league is not disappointing: they are not at the top of the table, ok, they are three or less from Napoli and Atalanta, but one misstep from those in front is enough and they recover. Apart from the last spell in the Champions League, I saw them well at the start of the season, also considering the fact that they had to and must deal with various injuries. Instead for Juventus it is different. Before the good success against Bologna, they struggled a lot. Although I think Allegri deserves trust: he has never had the players that he and the club have chosen to make the group make the leap in quality, so we will have to wait for excellent returns to give an opinion. We have seen how much Di Maria can do... Then, Pogba and Chiesa should return."
Zambrotta on being linked with the two teams:
"Oh yes. Sentimentally I could not choose! I spent 7 wonderful years at Juventus, then 4 at the end of my career at Milan. But if I have to look at the current moment of the two teams, I think I should say Milan: Theo Hernandez is one who makes the difference and he was the most in form, but he has recovered from an injury; Calabria is knocked out, Florenzi is knocked out… I could help Pioli. Juventus, on the other hand, often changes form: sometimes they play with the 4-3-3, others with the 3-5-2 and are okay with Kostic, Cuadrado, Alex Sandro ... There is Bonucci who has proved to be a point of reference especially in the 3-man defense. At the moment Juve has less need on the wings."
Zambrotta on his former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Yes, of course. Ibra will be important in the locker room: as long as he has the winning mentality, he can always and only do good for a team. Then it is clear, and he knows it, that he is no longer young and must manage himself, agree with the coach on the most functional matches for him and the team. He always asks a lot from his team-mates and within a young group like the Rossoneri, he can be fundamental for the growth of those who have to improve year after year."
