Former Lazio and Italian international goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani has examined the goalkeepers of both Milanese clubs ahead of this weekend’s Milan derby.
“They are two phenomenal goalkeepers but if I had to choose one I would take Donnarumma. Gigio is an extraordinary guy but he is not yet an extraordinary goalkeeper. If he maintains his steady growth, I think he can become one of the strongest goalkeepers of all time but obviously that is a long-term solution, because if I had to choose between the two to play a in a game today, then maybe I would take Handanovic for his experience and quality.”
With Handanovic set to turn 35 in the summer, Marchegiani then spoke on the next steps for Inter in the goalkeeping department.
“It’s normal and also necessary for an important club like Inter to think about the future with them having a goalkeeper who will soon be 35. I consider Padelli a good goalkeeper, he’s also arrived in the national team, but he’s not young anymore. Within a couple of years Inter should think about Handanovic’s heir and have that player in the team.”
Cagliari’s Alessio Cragno is among those to have been linked in connection with being Handanovic’s successor and Marchegiani shared his thoughts on this idea.
“I really like Cragno a lot but from my point of view he still has to grow up a lot to join a team like Inter. He’s a different goalkeeper from Handanovic. The Slovenian is 193 cm tall while Cragno is ten cm shorter and this is a fact that forces him to do something exceptional in every game.”
Marchegiani then spoke on the derby itself.
I certainly expect a good game because they are two strong teams that are growing. Milan are playing well, despite having some defects. They are a team that is on a good growth path. Inter has something more than them from the point of view of the experience and the quality of the individual players, Spalletti overcame the initial difficulties and now he is getting results. Inter does not dominate but wins nevertheless and this is important.”