It’s time for the big encounter between Milan and Juventus tonight at the San Siro. After years the match regains its prestige, so much so that around the world many will do what it takes to tune in. Alessandro Nesta, who hasn’t forgotten his 10 years of success at Milan, is one of these people:
‘Milan will win’ – As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport – ‘Juventus used up a lot of mental and physical energy in their Champions League match. They played a tough game and actually risked losing, they could pay for the effort they had to put in. Plus the rossoneri are motivated and currently in form. Montella? I like him. I’ve seen almost every game. He gets the keeper involved in the play, everyone passes a lot. He’s the character Milan needed in order to cheer up an already depressed environment. He isn’t an ex player, perhaps his freshness to the club is what was needed. During a Roman derby in 2002 he scored four goals, three of which were right at me. The fourth wasn’t because I had already been taken off at half time. I really don’t know what was wrong with me that game, it was a horrible Sunday’.
Higuain may end up being one of the protagonists of the game: ‘He’s a formidable striker, even stronger when inserted in Juve’s system. It’s important to remain attached to him, give him the smallest of spaces and he’ll get the shot off. In Italy he’s the best, but in Europe I prefer Suarez’. Milan’s target can’t be the scudetto: ‘Juventus is in a different league. They may lose to Milan, but they’ll definitely win the Serie A. In the Champions league its different because they’re not quite at Real Madrid or Barcelona’s level. Scudetto dreams? Leicester did manage to pull it off in a league like the Premiership, but Juve is just too good. Who would I take away from both teams? For Juve I’d remove Chiellini, truly tough and rugged. For Milan, Romagnoli and Niang’.
For Nesta, more than anything, Milan-Juventus is a reminder of the Champions League final in 2003. His best memory from the game: ‘We triumphed in penalties in the stadium of dreams, and despite never having taken one, I scored the fourth. Sometimes you have inexplicable sensations, and that night I knew I had to take a penalty. I wasn’t among the five penalty takers but I remember raising my hand saying I would have taken one’.
