In the new program InterLegends that premiered this week on Inter Channel, Il Principe Diego Milito, the architect of the treble that is a great moment in Inter’s history, retraced his career and victories with the Nerazzurri shirt.
Dejan Stankovic: “We must never forget Diego with the Inter shirt.”
Javier Zanetti: “He helped writing important pages.”
Massimo Moratti: “Milito is the treble.”
March 9, 2003, Avellaneda clasico. Milito tells an anecdote about an opponent, his brother: “We grew up in different teams, that derby is a very special thing because we were winning 1-0, a team-mate of mine was going to the goal and an opposing player brought him down as the last man. I asked for a red card red but the players was my brother. We started arguing with our family watching us.”
The chapter Genoa: “Preziosi convinced me to go down to Serie B, he was very ambitious. A major project, although after that I had to leave. We arrived in Serie A despite all the trouble that had occurred. At that time there were some teams interested, even Inter with Mancini. I chose Zaragoza because I didn’t feel ready to go to Inter and a team with so many strong attackers. I made this choice to join my brother, of course I don’t regret that because Inter was in my destiny, as we have seen.”
The chapter Zaragoza: “Real Madrid? I scored 4 goals, an incredible game in that tournament and we met the best teams in Spain, although unfortunately we lost the final. It’s Too bad, I still have a bitter taste in my mouth. The second year was amazing, so many strong players arrived, we were a good team, we reached Europe and for me it was a very good year. After that the problems started. Gaby, my brother went away and we took the blame. We changed four coaches and we were not used to fight to avoid relegation, in fact we went to the second division.”
The return to Genoa: “That summer was very anxious, so many wanted me. Juventus? No, there was Tottenham, we were very close. I remember that on the last day of the transfer market Preziosi’s son called me and convinced me to return to Genoa. I was immediately available, with the Londoners everything stopped and luckily I got back there. You can say that I closed a circle in Liguria. Undoubtedly I spent one of the best years there, we were very strong with a great coach, in fact we reached Europe offering a great football.”
The Derby against Sampdoria: “To score three goals in a derby is a beautiful thing. You enjoy it in a different way, then it is a unique city, a match deeply felt and we knew it. The first derby that season was very special, we were very ‘gritty’ and determined, we won 1-0 in their home after so many years.”
Finally Inter…
Dejan Stankovic: “As an opponent he was a real ‘nuisance’, thankfully he came to us. We got best at that moment.”
Potential pairing with Ibrahimovic: “It ‘a shame, I would have liked to pair with him. We trained together a few times, but then he went to Barcelona. What would have happened? We’ll never know, I always adapt to my partner. In Argentina I also played as a second striker, after that I became a first striker in Europe. My first game with the Nerazzurri was in the derby against Milan and it went well.”
The Champions League: “Before that I went to Beijing for the Supercoppa and after that they all laughed at me because I arrived and we immediately lost the match after many victories, but we know how it ended after that season. The game in Kiev was amazing, the game that turned everything around. Sheva scored an amazing goal, but in the second half Mourinho inserted many strikers.”
Round of 16 against Chelsea: “When the draw told us that we were going to London we weren’t very happy. They were the strongest after Barcelona, there was a bit of anxiety after the previous years and the various eliminations, but the game in London was one of the best, even though the victory in Milan had calmed us down.”
After CSKA, here is Barça: “The 2-0 in the group stage in Spain scared us a bit, they were the strongest of all. In the group stage we didn’t enter the pitch. At Camp Nou they are almost an impossible team, but in the semifinals everything went well, thankfully. The game in Milan my best game? Maybe, considering the value of the opponent, but also at a collective level it was an amazing game. Going down 1-0 at home against them will complicate things, but after that we deserved it. They were scared, they had discovered the fear and remember that after the second goal by Maicon we decided to increase the pace, knowing that in Spain it would be very difficult. We deserved the victory.”
The second leg in Barcelona: “I didn’t see the penalty area (laughs). Everyone had to sacrifice because with 10 players it was very difficult. We played an amazing game because we knew there was a place in the final at stake. On that pitch the time never passes, more so outnumbered, even worse.”
The best goal of all time: “The one in the Italian Cup final against Roma was very nice. It was a strange game, they were pretty much at home, but it was even nicer to win that way. We waited and then striked. After the goal I wanted to celebrate with our fans, it was a great joy.”
The decisive race for the Scudetto in Siena: “One of the most exciting games. Aside from the Madrid, the game in Siena was the most important because it was the end of a year long journey against a dangerous team, already relegated that had nothing to lose. We knew that Roma was winning and didn’t want to lose the championship at the last moment. We deserved to win, in the end I cried a lot. That game was important emotionally.”
The final in Madrid against Bayern Munich…
We talk about goals: “It was a beautiful play the first goal. The goals came at the right times, we played a great game and I remember that we had prepared that game in the right way.”
Massimo Moratti: “The goal to which I am referring is the second most because it was that of security, one that allowed us to win the European Cup final. Milito is the man of the treble, through him everyone was able to celebrate and everyone refer to him because he’s the player who made it happen.”
A year with 30 goals, practically one per game: “Thanks to the strong team and a great coach. We were aware of our strengths.”
Marco Materazzi: “I was joking when I told him ‘Diego, it’s been 25 minutes and you haven’t scored!’ and then he promptly scored.”
Favorable report against Milan: “Yes, they have been good to me. Scoring a goal in the derby is always special. All the goals I have scored against them they are, remember what I did with coach Ranieri in the away derby: it was important for me because I came from a difficult period. Even in the return it went very well, with three goals.”
The feat against Juventus last season: “Great game, we had a lot of courage. We played a good match and even though we were losing 1-0 we won deservedly. What courage by Stramaccion to have three attackers on from the first minute. It was a very special game, on a pitch that they had never lost.”
The injury against Cluj: “So many people helped me understand many things with their affection. I have no words, in comparison I haven’t done anything for them in respect to what they gave me. It was a difficult injury, but I got the strength from all the fans and their support. Everyone called me and that made me very happy.”
Javier Zanetti: “He can always find the winning play.”
The comeback against Sassuolo: “I apologized to their defenders because I kept running so much even though the result was 5-0, but for me it was the game of my life. The training was essential for the comeback.”
Calabrian origins: “I didn’t know the place, my grandmother told me everything about the country, and the rest. When I went there it was very exciting.”
Comment on Javier Zanetti: “A myth of society, but also of the world football. He has given so much to football, Inter and the Argentine national team. He is our ambassador, it’s been almost 20 years since he came to Milan, he is an amazing guy. ”
The Argentine beef: “Our meat is always very good and we do the barbecue as a way to be together. I cook with the help of Samuel who is very good.”
The Pinetina: “It means Inter, a dream. We have fought for lots of great things here, we are a great family and I consider it my home.”
On Moratti: “I have no words, he brought me to Inter and has always supported me, even when I was in difficulties. He has always been by my side and I will always be grateful to him. When he called me I came running.”
José Mourinho: “The author of my arrival at Inter, with Moratti, Branca and Oriali. I remember when he called me when I was still in Genoa, we had a great relationship, but also today. Few have won what he has. After the defeat at Catania it was the return leg in London against Chelsea. At that point he organized a meeting that touched our hearts and against the Blues it went well. During those moments you realize his greatness. He was angry, but rightly so, here we see the great.”
Erick Thohir: “Impact? Not much to say, I have talked very little with him, but he seems right for Inter. I believe he will do well because he has the desire. He arrives into a big family.”
The dressing room of the treble: “An amazing group.”
Choreography in Madrid: “Awesome, I immediately got emotional. We chased our dream, as José said.”
The future: “I want to finish playing, then I’ll surely will be doing something in football because that’s what makes me happy. I’ll Always be linked to football.”
Source: fcinternews.it
