Former AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has spoken about some of his favourite memories in his over 30 years with the club, as well as how the current team are looking.
He and Silvio Berlusconi spent 31 years at the helm Milan and managed to win 29 major trophies in the process. As such, he worked with the most successful president in club football and they also continued their partnership at Monza before the passing of the former Prime Minister in June.
Speaking during the presentation of his book ‘Le Memorie di Adriano G.’, Galliani answered questions from reporters on stage and he began by talking about the relationship he had with Berlusconi.
“Many times Berlusconi and I talked about the present and future of Milan and the President always whispered to me: ‘Milan is a non-business sentiment’,” he said.
Who is the strongest player you had at Milan?
“The strongest player I’ve seen play in Milan is Marco Van Basten.”
What are your memories of the 6-0 derby win?
“I got a call from someone telling me we could have stopped at 4-0. I replied that we had done stopped, otherwise we would have been on 8-9 goals.”
Tell us the anecdote about Gattuso after the final in Istanbul…
“We lose the final in Istanbul, in football you win or lose, but it almost never happens that a team leading 3-0 then loses. Gattuso comes and tells me that if he had stayed at Milan he would have always experienced that pain.
“I told him he was crazy, he told me he wanted to leave and so I locked him in the trophy room until he changed his mind. I left him there from 11 in the morning, at 1pm I passed him some sandwiches and then at 5 in the afternoon he told me that he had changed his mind.”
And the suspended match against Marseille…
“My half-madness in Marseille comes from the precedent in Belgrade that we were losing 1-0 with a red card, the fog arrives and the referee suspended the game. The match is postponed and then we win and raise the Cup.
“In Marseille, as in Belgrade, we were losing 1-0 and the lights went out. I thought the God of Belgrade had returned, that’s the psychiatric reason for the events in Marseille.”
🔴⚫️ Adriano #Galliani rivela il retroscena con Gennaro #Gattuso post Istanbul "L'HO CHIUSO NELLA SALA DEI TROFEI E…" #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/uBY6k1YsT8
— Luca Maninetti (@LucaManinetti) August 22, 2023
The season has begun, your sensations?
“It’s early, too early. After a day it’s difficult to make assessments, let’s wait a moment and see”.
Speaking of the market. Is there any news on Petagna’s possible departure?
“Negotiations are underway with Cagliari, let’s see what happens. We are looking for a striker and a central midfielder, there won’t be any other operations. Muriel? Maybe not.”
Do you like what you see from Milan?
“I didn’t see the whole game last night but I watched the first half hour and they looked very, very good.”
Who surprised you the most?
“I have to say that I saw Pulisic play a good game. But I didn’t see it all.”
What do you think of Bonaventure?
“I signed him and would have kept him. Bonaventura is a formidable player but beyond that he’s a super person. He’s fantastic. I intercepted him in 2015 while he was on his way to Inter.”
Spalletti is the Italy coach, is it the right choice?
“I really think so, Spalletti is a great coach. I saw him at Forte dei Marmi ten days ago and no one expected Mancini to resign. Spalletti has shown that he is a great coach, he will do well and has very clear ideas. His form then is perfect.”
🚨 Adriano #Galliani ai giornalisti presenti: parole sul #Milan, Pulisic, Petagna e Muriel 🗣 @SempreMilanit @SempreMilanCom pic.twitter.com/xAHlPFE67H
— Luca Maninetti (@LucaManinetti) August 22, 2023
Marco van Basten,
greatest striker ever
and Milan greatest player.
He was far more talented than C. Ronaldo.
El cóndor Galliani es un crack para los fichajes, Van Basten un crack con una elegancia sin igual…
I love van Basetn; but Maldini is Milan’s greatest player ever… 5 CL titles and 2 CL runners up. Most matches played, captained, trophies and honors galore and respect of EVERYONE opponents and Milan people alike.