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 isn’t listed on the organizational chart, but important decisions still go through him. Matthias Sammer, 58, won a Champions League title as a player with Borussia Dortmund—in the final against Juventus—and a league title as a coach, in addition to the two he won as a player. “I’m an external consultant for the club. I bring my many years of experience gained over 40 years—not exactly without results—as a player, coach, and executive.” In Dortmund, he—who grew up in the GDR and at Dynamo Dresden, then was brought to the West by Stuttgart after reunification—arrived directly 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—he sadly 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 though it was brief. The matches at San Siro Stadium with the fantastic Inter fans also remain unforgettable for me.”

What didn’t work out?

“Actually, everything had been going well: back then, during the 1992–93 season, I’d scored four goals for Inter in my first seven league games. We were all happy. Then came the serious injuries to Fontolan and Schillaci. Because of that, Darko Pancev—the fourth foreign player—suddenly went from the stands to the starting lineup. But since only three foreign players were allowed on the field per team at the time, I suddenly found myself on the bench. And for me, that situation was untenable. I knew I had to play to continue my development. So the only option was to leave Inter. The president at the time, 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 advance to the round of 16

Matthias Sammer
12 appearances and 4 goals with Inter

Aside 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 have nothing but positive memories. Inter is a great club—the tradition, the training facilities, the fans, the staff—it’s simply wonderful. I still follow all of Inter’s games today.”

Let’s fast-forward to the present day. Inter and Borussia Dortmund have played in the last three Champions League finals without winning any of them. What’s missing? Is the gap with the top clubs too wide?

“Just being able to play in the finals is a great achievement. It shows 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 advance to the Round of 16 in their own hands.”

In your debut season as a coach in the Bundesliga, you finished third, then went on to win the title. 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 think that both in the league and in the Champions League, Inter’s style is clearly recognizable in its 3-5-2 system. Cristian Chivu is carrying on this development in an excellent way. He’s doing a great job as Inter’s coach, and that’s actually the biggest compliment you can give 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 any differences?

“ Actually, this is a topic we could discuss at length for the next hour. So, in short: Serie A is attacking and entertaining, 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 attracting 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 has to find its own path. For this reason, comparisons between Italy, Germany, and England are only possible to a limited extent.”

Who’s the favorite between Borussia and Inter, and what kind of game are you expecting?

“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—I hope the Italian fans will forgive me—that Borussia Dortmund comes out on top…”