MILAN – The focus is on Sandro Mazzola in the third episode of Memorabilia, which goes out live this evening on Inter Channel.
Here's an extract of the wide-ranging interview with one of the biggest stars in Nerazzurri history, starting off with his early memories of playing football.
"I'd go to the San Lorenzo oratory to play with Adriano Celentano," Mazzola remembered. "I was younger than him at the time and we enjoyed playing together."
Then he moved on to discuss the beginnings of his relationship with the Nerazzurri.
"Inter first laid eyes on me at a trial with another club. Initially it was difficult, I didn't understand what it meant to play as the No.8, which back then was an attacking role. I wanted to play in the same position as my father, but the coach at that time Helenio Herrera preferred to use me alongside the centre forward."
Sandro made it a debut to remember on 10 June 1961 when he scored against arch-rivals Juventus.
"Inter were preparing to play against Juventus in a title-deciding fixture that had to be replayed. In protest, the Nerazzurri decided to field their youth team. After studying at school, I had to go and play against Juventus! We were awarded a penalty and I stepped to score my first Serie A goal.
"Alfredo Di Stefano was my idol," Mazzola continued. "I met him during the European Cup final in Vienna and it was like I had met the god of football. Luis Suarez made fun of me because I was stood there like a statue with my mouth open. He said: 'We're off to play the final; what do you want to do, stay here and look at Alfredo?' After the match, Ferenc Puskas gave me his shirt, saying that I had honoured my father. It's the most important shirt in my collection, even if I actually wanted Di Stefano's! I scored twice against Real Madrid, which was incredible for me."
Mazzola also recalled the influence of Inter's all-conquering manager during their European Cup semi-final against Liverpool in 1964/65.
"Herrera hammered us so much ahead of the return leg that we were convinced we could turn the result around. He prepared a video for each of us outlining the defects of our opposing men. He was a genius, truly exceptional."
Next up was the final at San Siro: "It was raining heavily and we were so jumpy. We didn't play all that well and won through a far-from-unstoppable shot from Jair. Winning the European Cup at home was the best we could have hoped for. It was a moment of great joy for Herrera as well."
Another huge figure of the Grande Inter side was Armando Picchi, who Mazzola remembers fondly.
"Picchi wasn't just the captain picked by the club but he was also the squad's chosen leader," he said in memory of the Nerazzurri great. "He represented us in the best way possible, he always arrived before everyone else and stood up for the weak. You could already see he was going to be a fantastic coach even back then, he already was one on the pitch."
In 1970/71, Inter opted to change coach midway through the season and Giovanni Invernizzi was handed the role, ending his first season with a Scudetto triumph.
"At the start of the season, there was great excitement. Heriberto Herrera was a top coach but found it hard to communicate his ideas and therefore the squad found it difficult to take them on board. Invernizzi put faith in the older players, bringing some players in from out in the cold. On the way to Roma, we studied the fixture list and then we went up to Ivanhoe Fraizzoli and told him we'd win the title."
Mazzola also remembered how back then the Derby della Madonnina was much more keenly felt.
"Gianni Rivera had one huge defect, his love of that shirt, but he knew just how to give you ball – at the right moment and perfectly weighted! However, there was a great rivalry between the two sets of fans at the time, so as players we could only meet up away from prying eyes.
"In those years, the Dutch were playing a style of football way ahead of our own, with their wingers pressing constantly and a certain Johan Cruyff creating magic. It was even a good thing to finish second to them."
Upon finishing his playing career, Mazzola started out as a football director: "I didn't think it was possible to get Ronaldo because his buy-out clause was crazy. However, once we reached an agreement with him personally it became possible. He was a great kid, perhaps even too nice – he had a heart of gold.
"Inter gave me a shot, which is something you can't put a price on," Mazzola concluded. "They gave me the possibility to become someone after my father died. Inter is something that stays a part of you."
