Former Nerazzurri and Viola goalkeeper Sebastien Frey admits that his sympathies are somewhat divided ahead of this evening’s Coppa Italia final between his two old teams Inter Milan and Fiorentina.
Speaking to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, the Frenchman looked ahead to this evening’s final.
During his playing career, Frey took a big step when he joined Inter.
The Nerazzurri brought the Frenchman in from Cannes, and gave him a chance to shine in Serie A.
Frey spent a season out on loan with Hellas Verona, and then during the 2000-01 was first-choice keeper at Inter.
However, the Frenchman left the Nerazzurri after that campaign.
Frey joined Parma, with whom he spent four seasons. Then, in 2005, Frey joined Fiorentina.
It is perhaps La Viola with whom Frey is best associated. The former keeper made over two hundred appearances for the Tuscans across all competition.
Sebastien Frey: Inter “First Love” But Fiorentina “Wife”
“Inter were my first great love,” Frey looked back.
“The kind who stays with you for life.”
“But Fiorentina are my wife,” he continued. “The team I married, that I wanted as my own.”
As for who he expects to win this evening’s final, Frey replied “Reason says Inter, because right now they’re the stronger team.”
“But if I let my heart speak, then I would say Fiorentina, even though I still have a lot of affection for Inter.”
“I’d like to that both teams bring home a trophy this year,” Frey said. “So if I were sure that Inter will take home the Champions League, I would like Fiorentina to win the Coppa Italia.”
Frey: Handanovic A Legend, But Onana Inter Milan’s Present
Frey was also asked about current Inter keepers Samir Handanovic and Andre Onana.
“Samir deserves a lot of respect for his history with Inter,” the former goalkeeper said.
“He’s had a great Nerazzurri story.”
“Now Samir has reached the end of his career,” Frey noted. “He will end it as captain, and have the possibility of winning one final trophy.”
“He really deserves it,” Frey said of the Slovenian.
And then, asking if Onana is Inter’s future, Frey replied “No, he’s the present.”
“Onana is a modern goalkeeper,” he added.
“In the two matches against Milan in the Champions League, he further impressed me with how easily he could play the ball with both feet,” Frey continued. “Right, left.”
Frey characterized Onana as “Always calm, never in difficulty.”
“He’s also a goalkeeper with great charisma.”
