The midfielder who scored in 2001: “I scored the third goal, and then I became a dad. For this match, I’m counting on Max.”
A goal in the historic derby that Milan won 6-0, and eight days later… the birth of his daughter Greta. Federico Giunti hasn’t forgotten May 2001, particularly that eventful week stretching from the victory in the city derby on May 11… to the pink ribbon on the 19th marking Greta’s arrival. “You remember two joys like that for the rest of your life,” he admitted, “let alone when they happen so close together.”
Giunti, that was his last derby with Milan. It couldn’t have ended any better…
“Actually, I wasn’t hoping for such a decisive victory because less than two months earlier we’d changed coaches (Cesare Maldini replaced Zaccheroni, ed.) and because the season hadn’t been going well. That win gave us a new lease on life.”
The Rossoneri fans still remember that 6-0 win.
“After the first two goals, Gattuso would grab me by the hair and yank it—he was just that fired up. Then I scored the free kick to make it 3-0, and all he did was… hug me (laughs, ed.). Rino is like a younger brother to me: I was the captain of Perugia when we were promoted from Serie B to Serie A (in 1995–96, ed.)—back when he wasn’t even 18 yet but was already on the first team. Too bad he disappeared one day to go to Scotland….”
Allegri was also on that Perugia team.
“He was right beside me in midfield, and even though I wore the captain’s armband, he was the real leader and captain. We secured promotion together, but Max left the following January. It’s a shame because he had an incredible personality. I wasn’t surprised to see him achieve such success as a coach.”
So do you agree with Milan’s decision to bring him… back home last summer?
“Allegri is a master at setting things right and bringing calm to the team. Milan needed that after last season’s results: now the players have to give their all because there are no more excuses. Max is a true winner. We couldn’t have found a better coach.”
Let’s go back to that “unpredictable” derby.
“We took the field with a clear head; Inter didn’t, because their season had probably been even more complicated than ours. We were eager for redemption and to give the fans something to celebrate, so we put on an incredible performance with an unconventional 4-4-2 formation: Kaladze and I as central midfielders, Gattuso and Serginho on the wings. Sergio was unstoppable and provided three assists in addition to scoring the goal that made it 6-0; Comandini and Shevchenko both scored two goals each. It was a crazy night.”
In the summer of 2001, you left the Rossoneri, who went on to win the Champions League in 2003. Any regrets?
“I still had a contract with Milan, and they were going to re-sign me, but Mazzone wanted me at Brescia, and Roberto Baggio’s urging pushed me to say yes. In hindsight, I wouldn’t make that choice again because I went from a team with which I’d won the 1998–99 Scudetto to one that was fighting to avoid relegation: the shift in mentality was significant for me, and I had to adapt. Then I went to Turkey and paved the way for many Italian teammates who later joined the Turkish league: winning the title with Besiktas was very satisfying.“
At Brescia, he had Tare as a teammate.
”He was a godsend for Mazzone because he was a physically strong center forward who served as a great focal point up front. He rotated with Toni and scored plenty of goals. Igli knows his soccer and is making a great contribution at Milan.”
If you had to explain to the players who arrived at Milanello this year what the derby is all about, what words would you use?
“It’s a special match that, back in my day, even the club prepared for meticulously. Under Berlusconi and Galliani, the club was run like a family, and we players only had to focus on the field: everything else—from schools for our children to babysitters, and even choosing a home and a car—was handled by someone at Milan. We all felt compelled to give more than 100%. Always, but especially in the derbies—those were special matches where the fans pushed you to give every last drop of sweat. When you saw certain choreographed displays in the stands, it gave you chills.“
What kind of game are you expecting tomorrow?
”It’ll be a hard-fought contest and, as usual, deeply felt by everyone. Don’t ask me for the result or who’s the favorite, but Milan, under Allegri, will go into it fired up and well-prepared.”
Who will be the key player for the Rossoneri?
“Modric, who, to me, is… soccer itself. When he touches the ball, it’s a spectacle.”
And what about Inter?
“The four forwards all fit together perfectly. Whoever Chivu chooses, he can’t go wrong. Lautaro, though, is the most dangerous.”
Will the league season be one long… derby for the Scudetto?
“Absolutely. The standings are tight, and after the coaching change, Juve isn’t out of the race because Inter and Roma have already lost three games. That’s a lot… If Max starts racking up points consistently, it’ll be tough for everyone.”
