Shevchenko previews ‘spectacular’ Milan-Inter and wishes Gimenez ‘good luck’ | OneFootball

Andriy Shevchenko will be present at San Siro this evening for the Derby della Madonnina. Interviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport, he provided an in-depth preview of the game and also shared his thoughts on the Hall of Fame award.

Shevchenko is the Derby della Madonnina’s top goalscorer, with 14 goals for Milan against Inter, and today he will be present for another edition of the big game. As highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport, he will be inducted into Milan’s new Hall of Fame, in partnership with Emirates.

Interviewed by the pink newspaper, the Ukrainian provided an in-depth preview of tonight’s game and also discussed his time at Milan at great length. He also sent a message to Milan’s new signing Santiago Gimenez, even if he will wait for the official announcement.

Shevchenko, what does it mean to be inducted into the Rossoneri Hall of Fame?

“A huge meaning. It’s a great honour to be part of the history of Milan, a giant history. It’s a pride that I will always carry within me.”

When you arrived at Milan in 1999, would you ever have imagined scoring 175 goals in 322 games, winning a Ballon d’Or, a Champions League and many other trophies?

“I have gone beyond my wildest dreams. I am part of Milan’s history, and that is priceless. I want to thank the Milan fans for the great affection they have shown me since the very beginning. A special, sincere, strong and absolutely reciprocated affection.

“We have loved each other from the first moment, and I will always love them: each one has a special place in my heart, and all together they remain there every single second, of every single minute, of every single hour, of every single day.

“When I arrived, I knew I was joining the biggest club in the world. I was motivated, I wanted to prove myself, I came from the school of Valerij Lobanovskyi and therefore the effort did not scare me. I dreamed of doing well and I knew that this would only happen through work.”

Which of your former teammates do you still speak with?

“I have a strong bond with almost all my former teammates. Ours was a feeling that went beyond football: we were teammates and friends, we were happy together, on and off the pitch, we worked hard and yet we didn’t feel tired.

“I often speak with Paolo Maldini, our captain, our flag, who is part of the most Milanese family in history. And then with Massimo Ambrosini, Demetrio Albertini, Andrea Pirlo, Billy Costacurta. All of them, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of my Ballon d’Or victory, took part in a celebratory video, and this made me extremely happy. I considered it as a kind of family reunion. You remain a Milanista forever.”

What kind of match will Milan-Inter be?

“An open match, characterized by great intensity. I think we will see two teams that will not hide. That will take to the field to attack and not to defend. They will try to propose their own game and not destroy that of the opponent. In short, I expect a very spectacular derby.”

Who gets there in the best shape?

“Milan, in the Supercoppa, were the protagonists of a great comeback, and this should not be forgotten. From 0-2 to 3-2, from nothing to everything. Since that January 6, however, Inter have shown more consistency in results and in the game. So, if we have to talk about current form, it is clear that Inter are better. The memory of January 6, however, if brought out at the right time, can make up the difference.”

Who could be the decisive players, on both sides?

“I choose two for each side: for Milan Leao and Maignan, for Inter Lautaro and Mkhitaryan. Speaking of the latter, he really has a rare tactical intelligence, and not only tactical.”

Can it be a factor that after winning six derbies in a row, Inter have lost the last two?

“I repeat, motivation can make the difference in certain games. Winning the last two derbies, one of which was valid for a trophy, has allowed Milan to understand that Inter can be beaten. Let’s say that the Rossoneri, in some way, have learned how to do it, that is, that it is necessary to put a very high level of energy on the pitch. It will also be essential to manage emotions in the right way.”

Surprised that the Supercoppa ended up in the Rossoneri’s trophy cabinet?

“It doesn’t surprise me at all. Milan, historically, even in the most difficult moments, has always been a team capable of finding the right reaction.”

What did Conceicao bring to Milan?

“He managed to give a jolt, to provoke a reaction. And this was the first thing to do, the first necessary and urgent step. By underlining this, I’m not saying that I didn’t like Paulo Fonseca who, even on a human level, I had learned to appreciate already when he was coaching Shakhtar Donetsk, in Ukraine. Now Conceicao must give the right continuity of results to his team: this is the second step.”

What was Sergio like as an opponent on the pitch?

“I have fond memories of him as an opponent. I remember a player with enormous energy and great quality, qualities with which he combined an enormous dose of intensity. Something that not everyone has.”

Leao has often been decisive for a few games. Has the time come for his definitive leap in quality?

“Everyone expects a lot of things from Leao, not only as a Milan player, but also as a team leader. The time has come for him to take on more responsibilities, those that a leader should have, in all the most important matches. Matches like the one he is about to play against Inter. In short, he must show the world his leadership.”

Can Milan achieve fourth place and qualify for next season’s Champions League?

“As a team I say yes, because the team is capable of getting a result in every match.”

In Europe, what should be the objective now with the play-offs coming up?

“By losing against Dinamo Zagreb, and therefore having to go through the play-offs against Feyenoord before qualifying for the round of 16, Milan have complicated their life. Now, therefore, the first thing is to beat the Dutch and go to the round of 16. Then we’ll see. We have to take one step at a time.”

Meanwhile, they signed Gimenez from Feyenoord…

“Waiting for the official announcement… good luck.”

What are Simone Inzaghi’s merits?

“He is a leader, in every way. In managing the group, but not only. He has given an incredible continuity to the results. He has transmitted the right approach to his players. He knows how to motivate the players and the continuity of this Inter is impressive. The numbers are all on his side: even against Monaco in the Champions League the domination was total, and not only because of the numerical superiority on the pitch.”

With Lautaro back to scoring consistently, are Inter the favourites for the Scudetto or do Napoli and Atalanta have the same chances as Inzaghi’s men?

“The fight for the Scudetto is a beautiful, highly spectacular one. And it is also thanks to the three coaches of the teams you mentioned. I spoke about Simone. Antonio Conte, who is a special coach and person, has revived Napoli.

“And Gasperini is super: I watched a few Atalanta games and I was impressed by how the team expresses itself, by the intensity it knows how to put on the pitch. I can’t say who is the favourite between Napoli, Inter and Atalanta, but it seems to me that Serie A is ‘warming up’ more and more. And the fans are the ones enjoying it.”

Calhanoglu vs Reijnders, one of the best duels will be the one in the middle of the pitch?

“A great challenge, also in terms of concept and ideas. In the derby, experience counts for a lot, and Calhanoglu has it. But freshness also counts, and Reijnders has it. We just have to understand which side the balance will tip towards in the end. Only the pitch will be able to tell us that.”

In terms of the Champions League, should Inter be considered on par with other top clubs for the final victory?

“Why not? They play with quality and intensity, they finished fourth in the league phase and they can win every match. Against anyone. So, I repeat: why not?”.

No one has scored more than you in derbies: 14 goals. What was Shevchenko’s secret?

“Motivation: I always cared a lot about the derby, let’s say in a particular way. There wasn’t a moment that went by that I didn’t think how important it was to win it for our great fans and for the club. This motivated me even more. I didn’t go out on the pitch for myself, but for all of them and therefore the responsibilities were even greater.”

Which derbies do you remember most fondly?

“The first and second legs, in the semi-finals, in the 2002-03 Champions League: 0-0 in the first leg and 1-1 in the second leg, with a decisive goal from me. History was made there. Sergio Conceicao played for Inter.”

Which one would you like to play again?

“The first one, but not because it went badly, on the contrary… It was October 1999, we won 2-1 in a comeback and I even managed to score. I would like to play it again to experience the unparalleled emotions… of the first time, to be amazed by the incredible quality of the players on the pitch, even among the opponents. In Inter there were Zanetti, Zamorano, Vieri, Ronaldo. I was really excited. Beautiful, unique sensations.”

Who was the toughest opponent in the derby?

“Without a shadow of a doubt, Javier Zanetti, the eternal captain of Inter. And, if I may, I would like to mention the Inter fans who I have always respected – even though I always scored in the derby – and who have always respected me.”

What do you wish for your Milan for 2025?

“To make the Milan fans happy, they are special.”

A brilliant interview by Shevchenko, which really makes you understand how he managed to be so successful with the red and black shirt. Hopefully, his presence tonight will help Milan clinch a third derby win of the season.