Filippo Inzaghi believes the Champions League is “a bit less” without Milan, and praises Napoli.
Europe’s top club competition gets underway today, and Super Pippo gave a long interview to Gazzetta dello Sport, also tipping Juventus to reach the final.
“Milan? There’s one thing I’d say to them: the Rossoneri legends would be useful right now,” Inzaghi noted.
Filippo Inzaghi believes the Champions League is “a bit less” without Milan, and praises Napoli.
Europe’s top club competition gets underway today, and Super Pippo gave a long interview to Gazzetta dello Sport, also tipping Juventus to reach the final.
“Milan? There’s one thing I’d say to them: the Rossoneri legends would be useful right now,” Inzaghi noted.
“There are champions and good men who have Milan in our hearts and that would be so valuable right now.
“I hope this great club returns soon, because a Champions League without Milan is a bit less of a Champions League.”
Inzaghi was asked who could be the surprise package in this season’s competition, and is expecting a lot from Napoli.
“More than a surprise I’d say a confirmation: [Diego] Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. A nice surprise might be Napoli. They may have lost a great player in [Gonzalo] Higuain, but they’ve reinforced with a lot of alternatives.
“[Arkadiusz] Milik is very interesting, because he always makes the right movements. [Jose] Callejon works hard and scores, [Dries] Martens and [Lorenzo] Insigne add imagination.
“Maurizio Sarri? I imagine he’ll be excited, I send him a sincere ‘good luck’. He deserves these rewards because he’s had a great journey. HIs game and ideas will have value in Europe too.
“Their goalkeeper? How could I forget [Pepe] Reina. He was there in the goal in Athens [when Inzaghi scored a double for Milan in 2007]. I scored my longest goal past him – me, the king of tap-ins.
“A sprint, a dribble, a slow, low shot with the ball running toward the goal while I’m running toward the corner flag.”
Finally, the former striker was asked for his personal memories of the competition.
“It’s the best, full stadiums, a different climate, worldwide exposure,” Inzaghi explained.
“When did I score my first goal? It didn’t take long but… I can’t remember. Juve-Feyenoord when I’d just arrived from Atalanta, an incredible joy [it was after 34 minutes].
“As for my best memories, there’s the two goals in Athens of course. There’s the double against Real [Madrid] too, not long after my serious injury.
“I think though that my most important goals were scored in the preliminaries of 2003 and 2007: in both cases my Milan came from far out and lifted the trophy.
“Are strikers coming back into fashion? The false-nine only exists when a team doesn’t have a great striker. No-one gives up someone who scores goals.”