Nesta's interview
from “Forza Milan” October 2010.
Thanks to CA for translating the italian version into english and giving permission to post it here. Thanks to Marina for providing the original.
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A talk with Nesta
The Eighth of Great Ambitions
[This is a play on words: l’otto means “the eight”; lotto means “lottery” and
lotta means “fight”.]
by Ugo Allievi
Sandro places no limits to his eighth season with Milan: “We are ready for a
season at the top. With the arrival of two champions of the caliber of Robinho
and Ibrahimovic, we can’t and we don’t want to hide ourselves.” “Allegri? A
punctilious manager, always ready to discuss.”
We are at his eighth season in the rossonera shirt. Eight seasons that saw
Alessandro Nesta as one of the main protagonists of numerous and exciting
victories by Milan in the past years, starting with the unforgettable Champions
League in 2003, with a victory over Juventus in the final. A triumph, this one,
bound by a double thread to Nesta, given that it was his first season in
rossonero.
Eight seasons that have made Sandro one of the “senators” of the dressing-room
at Milanello, which is why we are turning to him seeking an opinion on the
beginning of the season. “I’d say we’ve started well. It wasn’t easy to start
off on the right foot given the numerous changes that happened this year.”
What are you referring to?
I’m referring above all to the change of coach. The coming of Allegri meant some
changes, as is always the case, whether in training methods or in tactics. We
worked a lot in the pre-season to try and assimilate as soon as possible the
technical and tactical requirements of the new coach. Then, the arrival of two
champions like Ibrahimovic and Robinho when the season has almost started
“forced” us, pleasantly, to start again on the tactical work.
Where are we now?
We’re at a good point. I think I can say without fear of denial that from now on
we can only improve. The understanding with the newcomers continues to improve,
so I’m expecting us to have a great season. I’m sure we’ll be able to fight to
the end on all fronts, from the championship to the Champions League.
We’d like to analyze a little more deeply the changes brought by the new coach.
As I said, every manager has his own way of working that, even if it’s only in
the small little details, differentiates him from those of other manager, and
this is also the case with Allegri. We’re all comfortable with him. He’s a very
young coach who, in spite of his youth, has paid his dues before arriving at the
top. He’s always available for all of us, always ready to talk, always ready to
explain his choices, be they technical or tactical. In the meantime, this
availability doesn’t reduce his authority at all.
Some more details as regards the training?
Fundamentally he’s a coach who really likes to work on the pitch. During the
sessions he talks a lot, he’s a manager who is extremely punctilious and well
prepared. On the pitch he guides us and explains all the movements that the team
must make, even at the cost of making us repeat them dozens of times.
To change the subject – out of curiosity, how did the dressing-room react to the
final fireworks of the calciomercato?
What do you think? (He bursts out laughing.) At first we seemed to be living a
dream, we had trouble believing it. Then we went from a moment of the euphoria
to real delight, because knowing that Ibrahimovic and Robinho are two of your
new teammates can only make you happy! But be careful not to sit back — he warns
immediately, his expression changing — although Ibra and Robinho are two
phenomena, we should never forget, as the coach often repeats, that to win we
need balance, sacrifice and teamwork.
Ibrahimovic and Robonho are two forwards: who better than you to describe to us
their respective characteristics?
I don’t think you need my opinion to describe them: they are two champions in
absolute terms, they don’t need introductions!
Come on, Sandro, don’t make me beg…
If you insist… Individually they are two players with completely different
characteristics, but because of this they’re able to complement each other.
Ibra, and I know I didn’t discover this, is a phenomenon from all points of
view. Physically he’s unstoppable and powerful, and at the same time agile.
Technically fantastic, above all if we link his technical capacities to the
physicality that Ibra succeeds in putting on the pitch in all his play. In a
word: champion. Concerning Robinho, we can agree that we’re talking about
another world-level champion, he’s an atypical forward with immense technical
gifts who loves to cover all of the offensive fronts.
And if I ask about Ronaldinho, Inzaghi and Pato?
I’ll reply that I’m extremely happy that they’re my teammates, because I think
that our opponents will have to work very hard to control them all.
According to you, what are the possibilities of seeing them all on the pitch
together?
I think that on some occasions the coach will be able to have fun playing them
at the same time. A little more realistically, however, we should never lose
sight of something, which is and must be the equilibrium of the team.
Concerning equilibrium, this year Milan also strengthened themselves in midfield
and in defense. What do you think of that?
It’s true. The arrival of Boateng, Papastathopoulos and Yepes has further
strengthened a squad that was already competitive. Prince and Papa are two very
young players with great potential, who will be able to give a lot to Milan in
the future as well. Mario is an expert defender who has played all over the
world (let’s not forget that he’s the captain of Colombia) and who can
contribute a lot, particularly when we have to play every two or three days. But
now I’ll let you in on someone who will be one of the best acquisitions of Milan
version 2010-11: Gennaro Gattuso. In the past year, Rino, for physical reasons,
was not able to give the best of himself. This year he’s well and so I think
he’ll be once again one of the cornerstones of our season.
Nesta and Thiago Silva, according to many, is one of the best central defensive
pairings in the world.
We both always try to do as well we can to be considered such. Add to that the
fact that playing alongside Thiago is a pleasure. He’s a champion who makes
everything easier. His arrival at Milan has prolonged my career!
Thiago says of you that you’re a phenomenon, even if on the pitch you never shut
up. What do you say to that?
I reply that he’s right, and that he’ll have to put up with me for a long
time…
How do you see your future?
Right now I’ll enjoy myself this season in which I’m sure we’ll be protagonists.
Then I hope to stay well physically, in order to play for a long time. I don’t
make long-term predictions, I prefer to take things day by day. I hope to give
and to enjoy much satisfaction wearing this shirt.
Prospects and aims for this season?
From the beginning we’ve had a good feeling, we immediately felt ready for a
top-level season. Now, with the arrival of two champions of the caliber of
Robinho and Ibra, we can’t, or rather we don’t want to hide ourselves away
anymore.
Alexander the Great: never was a nickname more fitting.
Photograph: During a game, returning from an away game, during training, in the
dressing-room of Yokohama with the most recent cup: for eight years Sandro Nesta
has been a pillar for Milan, with which he has won on average one trophy per
year: two Champions Leagues (2002-03 and 2006-07), a Coppa Italia (2002-03), two
European Supercups (2003 and 2007), a Scudetto (2003-04), an Italian Supercup
(2004) and a Club World Cup (2007).
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