Pippo Inzaghi recalls favourite memories and when his brother Simone nearly joined Milan | OneFootball

Filippo Inzaghi has provided a reflection on his time at AC Milan and the memories he made, and he revealed that his brother Simone Inzaghi nearly ended up joining.

There aren’t many players who have had the experiences that Inzaghi has had, and he is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation after illustrious spells at both Juventus and Milan.

He won two UEFA Champions League titles (2003, 2007), and three Serie A titles (1998, 2004, 2011), becoming the seventh-highest scorer of any Italian with 313 goals scored in official matches.

Pippo is also Milan’s top international goal scorer in the club’s history with 43 goals and holds the record for most hat-tricks in Serie A with 10.

Inzaghi gave an interview to DAZN in which he looked back on his time with Milan, revealing some interesting anecdotes, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

You and your brother Simone both played…

“Technically Simone was stronger than me. He lived with a significant back problem that prevented him from going to Milan. After Piacenza, before going to Lazio, he was supposed to go to Milan, but he was rejected due to this back problem which has certainly affected his career as a footballer. But I think that what he didn’t have as a footballer he is now having as a coach.”

Do you remember that brace against Real Madrid?

“It was a magical evening. I started on the bench, but I had brought two shirts to celebrate goals number 69 and 70 in Europe. Then I came in and scored a brace. I then took one of those shirts to Borgonovo

“When I think of that match I also think of the day after when I brought him the shirt. It was a memorable match, we managed to overcome Raul, then oh well Messi and CR7 arrived… At the end of the match Mourihno hugged me. He said he hoped I wouldn’t play.”

Do you have a collection of shirts?

“I’ll tell you this anecdote: I played for Parma, I was a kid and I wanted Baresi’s shirt. We played against Milan, I wore number 16, maybe I didn’t even enter the pitch. At the end of the match Baresi gave me his shirt and he asked me for mine.

“This has helped me throughout my career because, against the small teams, they also asked me for my shirt and I have always asked for theirs. It’s also a question of respect.”

From Istanbul 2005 to Athens 2007…

“It’s incredible that in that period we played three Champions League finals in five years. In 2005 I was injured and went to the stands in Istanbul. Even in the Club World Cup against Boca which we lost I wasn’t well, so I was saddened by those two matches.

“Luckily we won in Athens and also the subsequent Club World Cup, both with a double. It was something incredible and magical that repays the seriousness and passion I have always put into football. The first goal in Athens? That year I scored three in that way: one in the derby, one against Empoli and one in Athens.”

More Stories / The Match

Sky: Attacking doubts and defensive certainties – how Milan should line up vs. Inter

20 April 2024, 16:45

Watch: Simic gives rousing speech to team-mates during Primavera’s win over Porto

20 April 2024, 16:20

Official: Date and time for Juventus-Milan confirmed by Lega Serie A

20 April 2024, 15:05

Did you study opponents?

“I have always studied the opponents a lot. It wasn’t the defenders who marked me, but I marked them. I also teach it to my players now, even if it’s not an easy thing to understand.”

Your memories of the Milan derby?

“I scored a goal in the first derby with Terim. I didn’t score many, but I scored some important ones. I also experienced the two Champions League derbies in 2003.”

And San Siro?

“I came to Milan also to play at San Siro. I made my dreams come true in that stadium. It has always stimulated me a lot and energised me.”

And Milanello?

“It’s exceptional. You didn’t miss anything. We also played cards, while now no one knows how to play anymore. It was also a way to be together. Now it doesn’t happen anymore. Now as soon as we finish eating everyone disappears. We have to rediscover certain values ​​for myself.”

What was it like saying goodbye to playing?

“After Milan-Novara I knew that it would be the last match with Milan, but not my last match as a footballer ever. I thought I’d play again, so I experienced it a little less badly I have to thank Galliani who waited for me until August.

“He offered me the Milan Allievi Nazionali bench, but I still wanted to coach in the Milan youth sector. When I won the Viareggio Tournament with the Primavera, for me it was like winning the Champions League.”