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Demetrio Albertini has opened up about his time with AC Milan, including the prevailing memories and some of the coaches he worked with.
Albertini was a hugely influential figure in Milan’s golden era back in the 1990s, when red and black ruled the world. The midfielder was even nicknamed ‘The Metronome’ for his ability to keep things ticking in the middle of the park.
He had a 14-year spell with the Rossoneri in which he lifted five Serie A titles and the Champions League in 1994, while also earning 79 caps for the Italian national team. He made 406 appearances and scored 28 goals for Milan, then joining Atlético Madrid, Lazio, Atalanta and finishing at Barcelona.
Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MN24), Albertini shed some light on his early days in football, his time at Milan and then Barcelona, the coaches he worked under and the team-mates he had.
What were your days like in the academy?
“They were wonderful, formative years. They allowed me to grow in the right way: a ball, a lot of lightheartedness, and a great sense of community.”
Is it true you were a ball boy for Milan?
“It was a coincidence, but it’s part of a series of memories I’ve collected over many years at Milan. I arrived when I was 11 and left at 31. I lived through a glorious era, it was a fantastic period of my life.”
You made your Serie A debut aged 17, under Arrigo Sacchi…
“I remember everything and nothing of that day, a rollercoaster of emotions. I remember Sacchi’s obsession with his mania. Sometimes, when he had a free moment, he’d take me aside and talk to me about tactics, plays, movements, moving pieces on the board: he was hyperactive, driven by a rare passion.”
After him, Fabio Capello came…
“I always say that making your Serie A debut is one thing, but staying at the highest level for over fifteen years is the real challenge. I remember Fabio’s fantastic relationships with the players; he had a unique empathy… despite not being a chatterbox.”
You had arguments with Carlo Ancelotti…
“Let’s start with the assumption that I’ve argued with every coach I’ve had, I think that’s a record. With Carlo, yes, we argued, and I made a very strong statement. But then everything was resolved, we have an excellent relationship and I respect him greatly as a coach.”
What was the best moment of your career?
“It’s hard to choose one, but if I really have to, I’d say the ’94 Athens final. It was an amazing year, and that was the perfect match. Massaro scored a brace, goals from the genius Savicevic, and my friend Desailly. Marcel and I made a great pair.”
And the worst?
“The 2000 European Championship. We lost in the final minutes, on the Golden Goal, and perhaps I had the feeling that it would be my last real chance to win for Italy. Seeing it go up in smoke like that hurt me…”
But you lost the 1994 final in the USA…
“Yes, losing a World Cup final like that was terrible. But, you know, I was 22 years old and had my whole career ahead of me. I had the recklessness and carefree attitude of the youngest player in the group.
“I remember Sacchi asking me if I felt like taking a penalty, and I went without thinking. While there were some who hid behind the bench just to avoid taking one. I’ll never reveal their names, but one played for Milan and the other for Inter… ”
You then went to Barcelona…
“Rijkaard, my teammate at Milan, called me and said he needed a locker room manager. I rushed over. At Barcelona, I was treated like a king. I think the man emerged more than the player.
“I once returned to Barcelona with Baggio, and he, seeing the affection of the people, said to me: ‘Demetrio, how many years have you been here?”
Lionel Messi arrived while you were there…
“I’m a little embarrassed to say it, but I didn’t know him. He had just returned from winning the U20 World Cup with Argentina. Joan introduced us. He, however, knew everything. ‘You’re Albertini, midfielder for the great AC Milan.’
“I, on the other hand, didn’t know who he was. It only took me two training sessions to realize he was a Martian. And in that team were Ronaldinho, Eto’o, and company.”
What was your relationship like with the presidents you worked under?
“Fantastic. Both with Berlusconi and with Bartomeu and Laporta. Josep is also a friend – he came to Villa Raverio when my father died. He didn’t want to miss the funeral. It was a gesture I’ll never forget.”
What was it like saying goodbye with a farewell game?
“There’s also a backstory. Laporta asked me to play it at Camp Nou, I called Galliani and asked him to reach an agreement to play it at San Siro instead. And we did it there in the end.
“There were eight Ballon d’Or winners on the pitch, I remember Van Basten being amazed. ‘Only you could bring together all these legends, you made us experience a magical evening.’ He came from Rotterdam… and he wanted to win there too.
“Capello was on the bench, it was like we’d gone back in time. And when Marco scored, the stadium collapsed. In the stands, there were fathers explaining to their children that that team had made history. Theirs, Milan’s, but ultimately, ours too.”
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