Matthias Sammer, 1996 Ballon d’Or winner: “That birthday with Totò was unforgettable. I was happy at Inter, but then Pancev became a starter and I ended up in the stands…”

He doesn’t appear on the organizational chart, but important decisions still go through him. Matthias Sammer, 58, won a Champions League title with Borussia Dortmund as a player—in the final against Juventus—and a league title as a coach, in addition to the two he won on the field. “I’m an external consultant for the club. I offer my many years of experience gained over 40 years—not exactly without results—as a player, coach, and executive.” In Dortmund, he grew up in the GDR and at Dynamo Dresden, then after reunification was brought to the West by Stuttgart, arriving specifically from Inter. He was still playing as an attacking midfielder before becoming a Ballon d’Or-winning sweeper. He was the German successor to the Matthäus-Brehme-Klinsmann trio, but his tenure was short-lived.

Good morning, Mr. Sammer, what do you remember about your brief stint with Inter?

“First and foremost, our daughter’s first birthday at the end of September, which we celebrated in Cernobbio. Toto Schillaci was there with us too; sadly, he passed away a year and a half ago. Generally speaking, I still love Milan, just as I love Italy, and I have nothing but wonderful memories of that time, even if it was brief. The matches at San Siro with the fantastic Inter fans also remain unforgettable for me.”

What didn’t work out?

“Actually, everything had worked out: back then, in the 1992–93 season, I had scored four goals for Inter in my first seven league matches. We were all happy. Then there were the serious injuries to Fontolan and Schillaci. Because of this, Darko Pancev, the fourth foreign player, suddenly went from the bench to the starting lineup. But since only three foreign players were allowed on the field per team at the time, I suddenly found myself out of the picture. And for me, that situation was unsustainable. I knew I had to play to continue my development. So the only option was to leave Inter. The then-president Ernesto Pellegrini fought to keep me; it was very difficult for me, too. But leaving Inter to go to Dortmund was the right decision.”

Inter and Borussia have a chance to reach the Round of 16

Matthias Sammer
12 appearances and 4 goals with Inter

Apart from the goal against Juve, do you have any positive memories from that six-month stint starting in the summer of ’92?

“Despite the short time there, I only have positive memories. Inter is a great club—the tradition, the training facilities, the fans, the staff: simply wonderful. I still follow all of Inter’s matches today.”

Let’s talk about the present day. Inter and Borussia Dortmund have played in the last three Champions League finals without winning them. What’s missing? Is the gap with the top clubs too big?

“Reaching the finals is a great achievement. It demonstrates the strength of Inter and Borussia Dortmund in European soccer.”

Do you like this new Champions League format?

“ I think it’s fantastic; every match has become more interesting. With this new format, there are no more ‘wasted’ league matchdays. The Champions League is full of suspense and twists right up to the final round. Inter and Borussia also have the chance to reach the round of 16 in their own hands.”

In your debut season as a coach in the Bundesliga, you finished third, then won the title the following year. Cristian Chivu is also making his debut as a head coach in Serie A. What are the challenges for a young coach at a top-tier club, and what advice can you give him?

“I find that both in the league and in the Champions League, Inter’s style is evident in their 3-5-2 system. Cristian Chivu is carrying on this development in an excellent manner. He’s doing an excellent job as Inter’s coach, and that’s actually the greatest compliment one can pay him.”

Sammer played for Borussia Dortmund from January 1993 until the end of the 1997–98 season

Can you compare the level of the Bundesliga and Serie A—are they almost the same, or do you see differences?

“ Actually, this is a topic we could discuss at length for the next hour. So, in short: Serie A is attacking and attractive, as demonstrated by Inter’s 6-2 win over Pisa last weekend.”

Are both leagues far behind the Premier League? Is it just a matter of money?

“ Money is certainly an important factor in securing good players and good coaches. But it’s no guarantee: with these players and coaches, you also have to do a first-class job. Nevertheless, every country must find its own path. For this reason, comparisons between Italy, Germany, and England are only possible to a limited extent.”

Who is the favorite between Borussia and Inter, and what kind of match do you expect?

“I’ll be at the stadium; I can’t wait. Actually, I’d like to see both teams take home the three points. There isn’t a clear favorite. Both teams are evenly matched. I expect a high-level, intense match, and I hope—and I hope the Italian fans will forgive me—that Borussia Dortmund comes out on top…”