Monza director Adriano Galliani admits he has ‘already shed a tear’ stepping into San Siro as an opponent against Milan. ‘This is not a football match. I am watching my life flash before my eyes.’
It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
It is a very special evening for the history of these clubs, because Galliani and Silvio Berlusconi were at the helm of Milan from 1986 to 2017 and took them to win every major trophy available.
They sold the Rossoneri in April 2017 and in September 2018 took over Monza to rescue the side from bankruptcy, now leading the club to its first ever Serie A experience.
Galliani was visibly moved looking around his old home of San Siro and hugging everyone on the touchline including Paolo Maldini, for the first time here as an opponent.
“You cannot forget 31 years. We were truly happy together, it’s the dream of my life come true, I don’t even care about the result today, because thanks to President Berlusconi going from Serie C to San Siro, it’s incredible,” Galliani told DAZN.
The former CEO was famous for his passionate displays in the stands, watching the game almost without breathing and showing some quite remarkable facial expressions.
“I’ve been training for a few days and expect to have a few cameras pointed at me, so I hope that I will be able to avoid moving a muscle.
“These are the clubs of my life. I was born in Monza, I was there for 10 years before Milan, then 31 years and now back for another four at Monza. This isn’t a football match, I am watching my life pass before my eyes. It is so much more than a football match for me.
“I have already shed a tear. I was there with Ariedo and Paolo, our captain, now Braida is at Cremonese, Maldini at Milan and me at Monza.”
Galliani famously did not have a great rapport with Maldini and was blamed by some for blocking the former defender’s move to a directorial role.
“I see Paolo as the legend of Milan, this is the only club in Europe to have captains a father and son both lifting the Champions League trophy with a 40-year gap. He is a legend and it is only right that he continues to fly the Rossoneri flag.”
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