Inter’s Coppa Italia derby with AC Milan tonight will not be the same without fans at San Siro, former Rossoneri keeper Giovanni Galli argued today.
Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, fans are not allowed to attend matches at this moment in time and it will be the second time this season that fans of the two clubs have been unable to watch their teams against one another in the Derby della Madonnina.
The winner of tonight’s quarter-final tie will meet either Juventus or SPAL in a two-legged semi-final next month.
“It is a pity there is no fans, especially for these matches,” Galli explained in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Quotidiano Sportivo, which appeared in Tuesday’s print edition.
“The fact that this derby is a cup game makes it even worse, because it’s a one-off match which pits two contenders for the league against one another.”
Galli then went on to discuss the starting goalkeepers at AC Milan and Inter, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Samir Handanovic, whose respective careers are both at different stages.
“They are very good athletes, but at opposite ends of their careers.
“On the one hand Donnarumma is a boy who has started a journey that will see him become the strongest in the world; on the other there is Handanovic who has always been a guarantee from both a technical and human perspective, but it is not known how long he can continue for.
“Donnarumma is the rising star, Handanovic is a star that is waning.
“He is not finished, let’s just say that over the years we’ve been used to a different level of performance compared to his displays this year.”
In conclusion, Galli spoke on the differences between Inter coach Antonio Conte and AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli.
“They are different characters have different methods.
“Conte has a strong, motivational impact in the dressing room.
“Perhaps he exaggerates someimtes, but often it is a tactic that pays off.
“On the other hand there is Pioli, who is someone who has an almost brotherly relationship with the players like an English manager.”
Inter versus AC Milan is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 local time.