Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko explains what to expect in the Champions League derby della Madonnina on and off the pitch and agrees with Pep Guardiola that ‘history counts’ in Europe’s elite competition.
The former Ukraine striker won one Champions League with the Rossoneri in 2003, beating Juventus in the Final and Inter in the semis.
The Diavoli meet their city rivals again in this season’s Champions League semi-finals, so what should players expect?
“It will be an amazing night, I am looking forward to watching it after playing it,” Sheva told Gazzetta.
“There was great tension, but mainly passion and always respectful behaviour. There’s no hate in the Milan derby, but we could see more shirts and scarves during those days, and the same will happen this time.”
Carlo Ancelotti was in charge of Milan 20 years ago and has recently said that he and his players would struggle to sleep before European derbies.
“I also remember that we struggled to sleep, we passed on emotion from one player to the other, but once we entered San Siro it all stopped and we focused on our duties,” claimed the ex-striker.
Sheva’s former coach Ancelotti will meet Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the other semi-final and the Rossoneri legend warned Carletto about the “most surprising” player in this edition of the Champions League.
“Haaland is amazing, he always scores at the right moment. Anyway, the resume of this Champions League is that the most clinical teams made it,” he said.
Guardiola analysed Milan’s win over Napoli earlier this week highlighting that history “counts” and that the Rossoneri deserved to qualify.
“He is right and he’s right when he says that he must beat Real Madrid to win the cup and a great coach like Ancelotti,” argued Shevchenko.
The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner also spoke about Massimiliano Allegri and his former Chelsea boss José Mourinho. Max and Mou could meet in the Europa League Final and are in contention to finish in the top four in Serie A.
“Every coach has his philosophy, Allegri knows what to do, his players have gone through tough times psychologically,” said Shevchenko.
“Mourinho has transformed the team, he won a title last season and is having a great campaign. He is in the Europa League semis, facts do the talking.”