APPIANO GENTILE – Legendary defender Giuseppe Bergomi was the guest on tonight's episode of Memorabilia on Inter Channel to look back over his 20 seasons at the club.
"I've experienced a bit of everything in my career," Bergomi revealed, "20 years at Inter and playing for my country before becoming a coach in the Nerazzurri youth academy and a commentator on television."
It all began for Giuseppe as a youngster playing in Rogoredo, where he was soon noticed and promptly snapped up by Inter.
"I remember my debut in the Nerazzurri shirt against Juventus in the Coppa Italia," he continued, "although the matches against Real Madrid stand out more from the early part of my career, from the European Cup semi-final to the UEFA Cup semi-final. In 1982 I was lucky enough to play in the final of the World Cup; when you win that trophy at 18 years old you've already achieved the highest accomplishment of your career."
The former centre back has vivid memories of the 1980s, when Serie A was rightfully considered the best league in the world.
"When I started at Inter there was only one foreigner, but then over the years that number increased until the star players in the side were Germans. In that period, all the best players in the world played in our country: Udinese had Zico and Napoli had Diego Maradona. Every Sunday we had to face players like Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli."
The success of Inter during that period was built on the foundations of three players who grew up at the club's youth academy.
"I was the first to break into the side, then came Walter Zenga and finally Riccardo Ferri, delayed by an injury to his arm. Both then and now, the Nerazzurri youth academy has consistently produced good footballers. The players who come from a club's youth system usually become role models for other team-mates."
Nevertheless, Bergomi admits the squad that lifted the 1988/89 Scudetto could have won much more: "Yes, it wasn't easy but that's probably true. We went out against Malmo the following season in the European Cup. That game could have given us the self-confidence to carry on in the tournament. Maybe we should have won another cup or league title, but the competition was undoubtedly very high."
The end of the following season culminated in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, a memory that bothers Giuseppe even today.
"I was captain at that tournament and it was my third World Cup. The fact we didn't win it on home soil still hurts me."
However, international success at club level was something the Nerazzurri legend experienced frequently. The UEFA Cup win in 1997-98 stands out in particular because of the contribution by a certain Brazilian striker.
"Ronaldo was incredible that season and especially in that cup. I remember the semi-final in Russia where the pitch was covered in snow, but he was able to dribble past players without any problems. With Diego Simeone, Francesco Moriero and Ronaldo, the team was very strong back then."
What similarities were there between Giovanni Trapattoni and Gigi Simoni? "Trapattoni was a master in creating a strong team spirit and getting the best out of each and every player. I had a fantastic season under Simoni. They both worked with some of the best foreign players I ever played with: Lothar Mattaus and Ronaldo."
Bergomi's last season was in 1999. "I didn't think it would be my last year. I thought I'd carry on playing for Inter. After leaving Inter I decided not to join another club. It was destiny that Inter should be my only club.
"Afterwards I got my coaching badges and I worked in the academy for a while. I got several offers but I didn't want to accept any of them.”
Beppe held the Nerazzurri record for most appearances until a certain Javier Zanetti bettered it.
"Javier was great. He came through some tough years before winning everything there was to win. With a 20-team Serie A and at least six matches in Europe, I realised he might be able to beat my record.
"Of my 756 games, there are two in particular I'd love to play again: the best one of the lot, a 4-0 win over Juventus in 1984, and the return leg against Bayern in the 1988 UEFA Cup."
