Gennaro Gattuso said the Coppa Italia Final “is like the World Cup” for Milan, but has always admired Juventus “discipline and mentality.”
The Coppa Italia Final is in Rome on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“This is like the World Cup for our enthusiasm, the enthusiasm of the fans and their desire to get back to lifting a trophy again,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Gennaro Gattuso said the Coppa Italia Final “is like the World Cup” for Milan, but has always admired Juventus “discipline and mentality.”
The Coppa Italia Final is in Rome on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“This is like the World Cup for our enthusiasm, the enthusiasm of the fans and their desire to get back to lifting a trophy again,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“You can sense it. Considering the team we’ve got, we just need that spark to light up the fireworks. I didn’t need to fire up the lads, as it’s the kind of match that fires you up anyway. We’re playing against a side that has dominated Italian football and been a protagonist in Europe for seven years, so they have a great mentality.
“We’ve got to give our best and if we can overcome this obstacle, we can do something important. I am sure of that.”
Milan lost the Coppa Italia Final to Juventus under Coach Cristian Brocchi, then beat the Bianconeri for the Italian Super Cup under Vincenzo Montella.
“We’ve got to do two things: not allow Juve anything and then play our football with courage, not holding back. Juve are full of champions, but they’ve got a few weaknesses too. It’ll be entertaining, we hope not to make the same mistakes we did in the final 15 minutes in Turin (when these sides met earlier this season).
“Juan Cuadrado and Douglas Costa can cause problems with their pace. We must be tight, focused and ready to suffer. The mind can do extraordinary things in sport and in life. Preparing it on a tactical level isn’t enough, you need something to click in your mind. We need something more to win against Juventus.”
Gattuso is known for his passion and that includes the infamous anecdote of eating a live snail on the training ground.
“I’ve done worse than that,” he smiled. “I always believed that to be a great team, you need a great locker room atmosphere. It’s the group that wins Cups and tournaments. An individual can help you win one or two games.
“As nothing grosses me out, it was the day of Milan-Manchester United and the rain was pouring down. Everyone told me I didn’t have the courage to eat the snail, so I did it.
“As a player, I was basically crazy. I was so superstitious and did strange things. Today I feel this incredible pressure on me, as if the fans were on my shoulders. I am more relaxed when training, but starting to prepare for games, I just can’t sleep, so I get back up and resume work.
“When you step on to the field, you must give your all. If the opponent is stronger, then you tip your hat to them and shake their hand, but you must have no regrets.
“This is the most important match of my coaching career. There have been a few disappointments, we hope it can be satisfying. If this game was at the end of the season, I’d be less worried. We’ve got two battles with Atalanta and Fiorentina coming up, so going into those with a Cup on the mantlepiece is different to the feeling after a defeat.
“As a player, and it’s the same as a Coach, I always got the feeling Juventus had this extraordinary mentality. Their players are proud to wear the jersey. They’re passionate. I’m impressed by the discipline and battling spirit of the Juve world and I saw that made the difference, even when Milan had more technically gifted players. Sometimes I see the Juve players and they don’t even look sweaty.
“Milan brought something different in Europe in terms of football, but winning the way Juve do – with mentality, physical strength and quality – is not easy. People might say they didn’t win the Champions League as often, but reaching the Final is like winning it.”
Gattuso was asked what he’ll do if he wins the Coppa Italia.
“My children and wife will be there. I’ll have a glass of wine with the lads, more than one if we win… After that, I’d like to spend some time with those people who haven’t seen me as much lately.”