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Dejan Savicevic has reflected on some of his memories in the Milan derby, and previewed Sunday night’s game at San Siro.
Savicevic joined Milan in 1992 and played there until 1998, being part of a very successful side. He won three Serie A titles and the 1993-94 UEFA Champions League, earning the nickname ‘Il Genio’ from the Italian press because of his playing style.
His big moment in a red and black shirt was a man-of-the-match performance in the 1994 UEFA Champions League Final, where he scored a fantastic lob. He is someone who knows what it takes to be decisive on the biggest nights, therefore.
Savicevic gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he offered his thoughts on tonight’s game, as well as taking a look back at some of his own memories.
Do you know how many derbies you played?
“Well, I don’t know… not many. There were rules: three foreigners could play per game, but there were six of us. The three Dutchmen: Rijkaard, Gullit, and Van Basten. And three others: Papin, Boban, and me.”
Savicevic last? Not good…
“My first year, 1992-93, I only played ten league games. I had to adapt; that Milan were a great team with a lot of quality and a lot of competition.”
When was your full debut?
“In the Coppa Italia, August 1992, against Ternana 4-0. I scored two goals. One from a penalty and the other, a beautiful one, from about twenty metres into the top corner. Then the first derby, also in the Coppa Italia, a few months later.”
So you remember them. The dates too?
“No, not the dates. But the derbies, yes. I’ll quickly count them. So: four in the league and three in the Coppa Italia: seven in total. And two goals.”
The first?
“Nil-nil in the Coppa Italia. A good match, several chances, and no goals. I played with the number nine, the number ten belonged to Gullit. San Siro applauded me, it was beautiful.
“My friend Darko Pancev played for Inter. We were a pair at Red Star Belgrade. I gave him six or seven balls in front of goal, and he scored two goals, and everyone said: ‘Well done, Pancev!'”
The first time against Inter in the league?
“In 1994, my best year. I won the derby 2-1, the league title, and the Champions League. A splendid season, I would have even scored…”
What happened?
“I shot on goal, but Bergomi deflected it and fooled Zenga. Today, with the rules and VAR and everything else, they’d give it to me. In any case, that remains the only league derby I won.
“I remember it because Massaro scored at the end, immediately after Schillaci’s equaliser. And also because it was Marcel Desailly’s first, our midfield dam.”
Then one lost (3-1) and the other two drawn (1-1)…
“Yes, the following year I scored my first and only league goal, a low shot into the corner.”
Then, the last two, Coppa Italia 1998…
“I have a beautiful memory and one that still p*sses me off.”
The beautiful one?
“5-0. Five goals, a good number. A cold and special evening. I remember Maurizio Ganz’s goal and celebration. He used to play for Inter and then moved to Milan. He had been with us for about twenty days and scored after a move of mine.”
The bad memory?
“In the second leg. We had already qualified for the semifinals, Inter won 1-0, with a goal from Branca. There were few people in attendance, the game was uneventful, but towards the end, in midfield, Bergomi fouled me badly on the knee.
“It ruined my season and my farewell to Milan. I had ligament problems, and I was out for a year.”
What about tonight’s derby?
“The standings speak for themselves: Inter are first, Milan are there. Well-equipped teams, good coaches. A great challenge, great interest, just like in my day, as always. This is a truly special match, different from all the others.
“You breathe it in, you prepare for it with different tensions. I don’t think the atmosphere has changed; anything can happen on the pitch. Inter are strong, they score easily. But we can’t call them favourites.”
Milan draw a lot and waste chances, like in Parma. Did you see it?
“Yes, unfortunately. They should have shot more on goal. But it happens. Inter have very good strikers: Lautaro, Thuram, now Bonny, and then that guy, Esposito. A surprise: I saw his goal against Norway, quick, sharp, he turned in an instant and hit the ball.
“Milan don’t have Gimenez: he’s an intelligent centre-forward who works for the team. He just needs to get going, and he will. Leao is very good in one-on-one situations, he targets his man, and that’s no small feat.
“It must also be said that Pulisic was missing, a man with a good instinct and usually doesn’t make mistakes. Mistakes happen, but that applies to everyone. I think it will be a great derby.”
Where will you watch the game?
“On TV, at home, in Podgorica. Calm, serene. I’m curious to see Modric and Sucic. One is always top, a Ballon d’Or winner. The other is interesting, he has vision, brains, and good shots.
“The spectacle should not be lacking. But Allegri is right, to talk about goals we have to wait until spring. And also the commitments and results in the cups.”
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