Ahead of tonight’s clash with Juventus, Sulley Muntari can’t help thinking back to his infamous ‘phantom’ goal that wasn’t given last year for Milan.
Ahead of tonight’s clash with Juventus, Sulley Muntari can’t help thinking back to his infamous ‘phantom’ goal that wasn’t given last year for Milan.
The ball had clearly crossed the line before Gigi Buffon batted it back out, but the officials waved play on and the Scudetto showdown ended 1-1 in February.
“Of course I’d love to score against Juventus,” he told the Corriere dello Sport. “I haven’t found the net this season, but the important thing is to win tonight.
“I don’t look back over that goal with irritation, as this is part of football. If something irritates you, it means you don’t want to keep going. I don’t believe it would’ve been decisive in the title race. It’s true, we would’ve gone ahead in the table, but Juventus were stronger last season and they deserved the Scudetto.”
Milan were in the race then, but this time around they are 15 points behind Juventus in third place.
“Drawing twice in a row hasn’t hit our confidence. We are continuing the ‘hunt’ for second place right to the end, as we are completing a great comeback,” continued Muntari.
“Next year we have to win after this season of reconstruction. The team will be stronger and more mature. We do lack determination, though, as that is what the champions who left had in their eyes. Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso always fired us up.
“We could’ve done something more this term, but Juventus are again putting in a great campaign. They are such a strong and united side who make you suffer.
“However, our young players have grown up and are getting the right mentality. All together we know what we can do and that we can win, including against Juventus.”
Muntari wasn’t there for the start of the campaign, as he snapped a knee ligament while on vacation.
“I will never get over that, as I was playing beach soccer with my friends when it happened. I certainly didn’t injure myself on purpose! It’s true Adriano Galliani was furious when he found out how I’d done it.”