In a recent interview, veteran Italian journalist and self-proclaimed AC Milan supporter Carlo Pellegatti admits rooting against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
The Beneamata reached the grand finale after overcoming their crosstown rivals in the semifinals. Simone Inzaghi’s men rooted their opponents with three unanswered goals on aggregate to book a spot against Manchester City in the final.
But despite an admirable display in Istanbul, the Nerazzurri paid dearly for their lackluster finishing. The Cityzens emerged victorious thanks to Rodri’s solitary strike in the 68th minute.
The Premier League champions completed a historic treble while lifting their first-ever UCL trophy, denying Inter their fourth title.
For his part, Pellegatti expressed his relief with the outcome. As the veteran journalist explains, it would have been difficult for a Rossoneri fan to swallow Inter’s triumph, especially following the semifinal defeat.
“To be honest, as a Milan fan, I hoped that Inter wouldn’t win,” said the famous Italian journalist in an interview with Sitiscommesse journalist Lidia Toscano.
“It’s not pleasant to say so even if there is a rivalry between the clubs. I was at a gala dinner in Bergamo after the solidarity tournament. I was there eating with my wife and there was a scoreboard so I kept looking.
“Anyway, I’ll tell you this: It would have been a tough weekend for AC Milan fans had Inter won. But I won’t add anything else, because it’s always bad to say ‘I hoped they would lose’.
“I could tell you that I hoped Inter would win but that wouldn’t be true. After all, Inter are our rivals so I can’t cheer them on to win the Champions League.
“They still played a good match and must have no regrets. They were also unlucky in the final. But it’s their problem. Personally, I’m only thinking of Milan.”
The Italian journalist also felt that Inter Milan lacked a decisive player like Rafael Leao in the Champions League final.
“In the final against City, I was looking for a player who can make a difference like Leao, but I didn’t see many out there.
“I am a great admirer of Lautaro, but between Grealish and Leao, I’d pick the latter.
“In the semifinal, Milan were missing Leao and then Bennacer in the second leg, but in general Inter showed they were in a better shape.
“They arrived confident in victory, especially at the beginning of the first leg. They gave us two quick slaps. They could have scored four or five goals. I have no regrets when you lose against a team that was superior at the time.”
Pellegatti also discussed the future of former Juventus, Inter and Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swedish legend finally decided to end his playing career following never-ending bouts with injuries.
The retired striker pledged his future to Milan, but Pellegatti doesn’t see him in a coaching role.
“No, definitely not on the Milan bench, but perhaps he would do well as a club manager at Milanello to keep the trait d’union between the management and the squad. He would obviously link up with Stefano Pioli.
“I would love to so him assert this new role as soon as possible. But now he wants to take a sabbatical. I absolutely love Ibrahimovic the footballer.”
The journalist also urges club directors to start working on launching stadium projects to catch up with the rest of Europe.
“I repeat: We must build new stadiums! These would be a major boost for Italian football. The American owners at Milan understood it, the American owners at Roma as well, and the same goes for Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso.
“This is how we can bridge the gap. Without new stadiums it will be very difficult.”
