MILAN - Beppe Baresi is the latest Nerazzurri star of yesteryear to appear on Inter Channel's Memorabilia show, in an interview to be aired on Monday night.
Baresi spent most of his career at Inter while his brother, Franco, plied his trade for AC Milan.
"I do feel a bit of nostalgia as I spent so many years at Inter both as a player and then as a coach. I share lots of things with my brother, such as the stadium and the city, but not the colours! I remember it was always an emotional moment when it came to exchanging pennants before the match. When we were playing on opposite sides we were no longer brothers – we both wanted to give our all for our team.”
Your time in an Inter jersey spanned 15 years, from 1977 to 1992...
“When I started out there were lots of Italians and it was easier for a youngster to break into the first team. In that first Inter side I played in, with the likes of Oriali, Muraro, Marini, Bordon and other great players, it was easier to emerge. They all came from the youth academy and they helped me settle into the team.”
You won your first Scudetto in 1979/80, when Inter spent the entire season top of the league.
“We had a great season that year and managed to keep our noses out in front of everyone else. We had some marvellous players, a rock-solid defence and two guys up front – Altobelli and Muraro – who could always win you the game. We had a good run in the European Cup too, only going out to Real Madrid after an intensely fought two legs.”
In 1991 came UEFA Cup success with another great team.
“I remember some thrilling matches in that competition. We beat Roma in the final but I wasn't able to play in the return leg because of a broken collarbone. That team was so well put together, we really were unstoppable. Our three foreigners, Diaz, Brehme and Matthaus, were top-class and made all the difference.
How has the academy changed during your time at the club?
“We're talking about two completely different generations. Today's lads don't always take things seriously enough – often they come into the academy taking it for granted that they'll make it to the top. You need the right mentality if you want to take that huge step up from the youth academy to the first team. I think Matthaus was the most determined player I ever saw – it was inspirational on the pitch.”
How do Mourinho and Trapattoni, two great coaches from Inter's past, compare?
"They're also from different generations but there are some similarities. Trapattoni was excellent at managing the group and helped you produce your very best. Jose was so strong mentally and very intelligent. From the first day we met his aim was to achieve great things. He managed to keep everyone on their toes, including those outside the team. The first two players he ticked off in the first game were Zanetti and Ibrahimovic – he treated everyone the same way.”
Your worked as Mourinho's assistant for two years and won the Champions League in 2010...
"Those two seasons will forever be up there among my personal highlights. The treble year was unforgettable, an amazing run. Jose was so good at reading games: he'd always get his subs right and steal a march on the other team. The team underwent a revolution between the first and second year – it was a completely different side with Ibrahimovic. The key games during the treble season was the first derby we won 4-0 and the return leg against Chelsea, when we won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.”
What can you say about Mario Balotelli?
“At the start he was a down-to-earth kid, then he let fame get to his head. I think all the talk about him probably turned his world upside down and he got distracted from his main aim, which is to play football.”
You played for Italy yourself...
“I played at the Euros in 1980, the Mundialito in Uruguay in 1981 and the World Cups in 1982 and 1986.”
What memories does filming this interview at San Siro bring back for you?
“My debut, for sure. I was just a kid and it was a really emotional occasion. I played loads of times here. I'll always be very fond of this stadium.”
