The former Napoli midfielder: “A solid squad despite injuries and losses. And that Scudetto on their chests gives them a boost…”
It feels as though you can still feel the warmth of that evening, September 1, 1990, and as the memories roll by, Massimo Crippa relives an hour and a half that seemed like a fairy tale: the Super Cup had just been created, celebrating its third edition, and now that thirty-five years have flown by, the echo of a gigantic triumph—a 5-1 win over Juventus—has not faded, nor has even a fragment of that epoch-making moment disappeared.
What do you remember, Crippa?
“Everything, of course. The atmosphere, the sheer joy of a victory against a historic rival—I’d call it a real feast. Even the general disbelief, because we’d pulled off a major upset, beating Baggio’s and Schillaci’s Juve, Tacconi’s and Casiraghi’s Juve. But we, and I say this without arrogance, were Napoli, and you could see it on the field, as that match proved.”
1990, Napoli-Juventus 5-1: the great night of Andrea Silenzi, who scored a brace. Ansa
You had been Italian champions for four months.
“The second Scudetto had opened up a whole new world for us; we were building on what we’d achieved in ’89. I was signed in ’88; I was surrounded by the crème de la crème of soccer. The best players were in Italy, and the best of the best was Maradona—and alongside him was Careca. A powerhouse of a team; we seemed invincible: first the title, then the Super Cup.”
And yet, impossible to foresee, the decline was beginning.
“We never would have imagined that would be our last success; in fact, it seemed like the start of a new streak. But within a few seasons, we’d discover that the world was turning upside down. Diego left, the club had to start selling players, and the path toward what would eventually be bankruptcy began. Slow and painful. But it’s in the past.“
Napoli vs. Milan is back, today just like back then.
”Back then, the matches were evenly matched; we won at home and they won at home. We faced other giants, let’s be clear: Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta, Donadoni, Ancelotti, the Dutch. We respected each other.” 
What’s it like this time?
“A match that’s impossible to predict, in theory, but I think Napoli are slight favorites. The Italian champions remain the Italian champions, even if fate has deprived them of many players—too many, in fact. But the difference remains, and I’m not just saying that out of obvious sentimental reasons.”
Tactically, what do you expect?
“One-off matches are interpreted differently; there might be a touch more caution. And in any case, we must add another factor: the fatigue of these past few weeks, and what’s to come; the absences that will prompt the coaches to make adjustments. However, the stature of Napoli and Milan is so significant that I expect a spectacle.“
Will it be the match of…?
”Conte and Allegri, two of the best coaches in the Italian league—indeed, the best—with a history that speaks for both, and achievements that have elevated them to the top. They have two teams with strong identities, both of them, and which fully represent their managers. They make an impact, tactically and psychologically, providing a very clear direction.“
What has struck you about these four months of soccer?
”Milan’s depth, because for me Allegri is working miracles. He has no center forward; he had to repurpose Leao for that position—who likely won’t be available tomorrow night—and yet he’s always found solutions to avoid the troubles that have certainly come his way. The difficulties remain, but Allegri enjoys being inventive; he changes formations, takes risks, suffers, but he’s still there, right on Inter’s heels at the top of the table. And then, what struck me about Napoli is their consistency—seven losses don’t diminish that. Conte has had his share of problems too, if we think about the setbacks he’s faced, but on the field, when things go a certain way, you can see his touch. Sure, take away De Bruyne, Anguissa, and until Sunday even Lobotka, plus Lukaku, and then you start to feel a bit like you’re being hounded. But the squad is deep.“
Man of the match on both sides?
”That’s easy: Modric for Milan—we’re still enjoying him at forty; if we wanted to, we could even blindfold him, and he’d still know how to set up a teammate, how to delight us. An out-of-this-world player. And, if De Bruyne were here, we could try blindfolding him too: we’re talking about world-class players with these two. But De Bruyne isn’t here, and while it’s true that Napoli did well even without him, I’ll go with Conte’s team. Waiting for a surprise standout to emerge.”
Who will win tomorrow night?
“Napoli, obviously.”
Who will win the league?
“What do you think? Napoli, obviously.”
How long has it been since you’ve been to Naples?
“Too long, and I have to go back. But I watched the parade for the fourth Scudetto on TV. It was like a British-style parade, but along the waterfront. And just in case it happens, I might even book a little trip. You wouldn’t believe how many friends are waiting for me.”
