Gonzalo Higuain, who's played 36 derbies since the beginning of his career in Argentina, is ready for a new fascinating adventure. The Derby della Madonnina doesn't scare him, it thrills him. "It will be nice playing that game, we're waiting for it quietly" has he told La Gazzetta dello Sport, "I remember the Madrid one. Then, playing at San Siro is great and I can say that... as an opponent".
The expectations are very high, Milan is back at scoring a lot ("but we need to learn to defend better...") because of Pipita's presence, who gives the credit to others though: "I always try to do my best, but I have to thank a coach able to express the football I like. You could feel there's something different about Gattuso: I can feel when someone loves football, when he's trying to get the best out of me, don't think there are many coaches like that. Romagnoli is right, the team would die to follow him".
From one coach to another, who's made his name: "It's Sarri, obviously. Gattuso isn't that different from him though. Both have a crazy will to win, and I'm happy to be here at Milan because besides the project, they've made me feel important. Here everyone wanted me, from the club to the manager. At Chelsea only the manager wanted me".
Sarri, Napoli, De Laurentiis... A trinity that means a lot for Higuain: "Unfortunately I know the fans hate me. And like me, many others: Lavezzi or Cavani as examples. I'm not even talking about Sarri, who still was on contract with Napoli while another coach was arriving. In the end, it's everyone's fault but De Laurentiis' one. Everyone fights with him but the people insult the others. He's won 94m with me: one day I'll tell what I think, today I can't yet".
Leaving Juventus was less complicated: "After the Coppa Italia, you could see something had changed. Then Ronaldo arrived and they told me they were looking for a solution for me. Milan was the best choice I could make, I don't have negative feelings for Juve: I've won titles and Allegri has taught me very important things, like helping the team defending".
"It will be stimulating facing opponents like Skriniar and De Vrij, they're excellent defenders. Icardi? He's an assassin in the area, he's good a good head game but this is football, not tennis: it's not striker against striker but eleven players against eleven others. What will Milan try to do? We still miss something for the Scudetto, if we're behind Juve it's only our fault. We have to try to win Europa League and Coppa Italia though, as they are shorter competitions. The focus is only on Inter for the moment though, we need to win. It would be nice to be like Shevchenko and Inzaghi who've scored for their first derby". Next time could be with Ibrahimovic? "You need to ask the club but I like playing with champions. And he's one".
