‘Inter Calling’ with Pagliuca and Galante

MILAN – Gianluca Pagliuca and Fabia Galante were the guests in the second episode of ‘Inter Calling’, the Inter TV series that virtually enters the homes of a couple of historic Nerazzurri players.

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The ex-goalkeeper who wore the Nerazzurri shirt 234 times and the former defender lifted the UEFA Cup together at the end of a historic final against Lazio:

Pagliuca: “I know it by heart because I’ve watched the match about 30 times, and I’m able to watch it happily knowing we won, the final image of us raising the Cup is an unforgettable memory. We completed a lot of comebacks during that journey: against Lyon after losing 2-1 at home, then against Strasbourg so in the final we had that feeling we were going to win. We were so determined and wanted to win, there was a great hunger because the previous year we had lost against Schalke 04 so there was an incredible urge to bounce back and raise the trophy.”

The two had similar feelings on arriving at Inter:

Galante: “It was an incredible feeling for me to arrive at Inter, I wasn’t even 23 years old, but I had played for three years at Genoa and won two U21 European Championships. To come to Inter and play with Pagliuca, Bergomi, Paganin and the others was a great feeling.”

Pagliuca: “I arrived as National team ‘keeper, but the start wasn’t easy because Zenga wasn’t just a player but an icon. However, this gave me the strength to show that it wasn’t just anyone, but actually another good goalie who was coming in. And I think I showed that I earned the right to wear the Inter shirt.”

They described many anecdotes about their teammates, from Ronaldo to Taribo West and Simeone:

Pagliuca: “Fabio often shared a room with Fresi and I’d usually be with Taribo West. The coach slept next door and sometimes I’d go and complain, because at any time of the night he could do anything: make a phone call or do anything noisy while I wanted to sleep. Ronaldo was immense, he had incredible ability, and Simeone only ever talked about football, he was already a ‘coach’ on the pitch. It wasn’t easy for him at the start either, but thanks to his determination he won people over, especially after his brace in the #DerbyMilano.”

Galante: “Yes, West was a bit ill-disciplined, both on and off the pitch, but his physical presence could always be felt, especially at corners or free kicks when he’d make you feel so confident, and with his coloured braids he’d always put you in a good mood. Ronaldo and I had a good relationship, sometimes he didn’t come to work on the finishing touches, but we always knew that he’d win us the game in the evening. Simeone had a strong personality and this helped him throughout his playing career: he was mentally tough and he was never afraid of any tackle, you’d never see him pull out, and then as a coach he’s obviously proving his worth.”

They also talked about the toughest opponents and penalties:

Pagliuca: “I never had a tactic for saving penalties, I had strong legs that allowed me to be agile, reactive and powerful. Often at penalties you hit the bar, you occupy the goal and make yourself big and if you guess correctly you may save it. I always felt strong when there was a penalty, I knew I had nothing to lose and that I could become the game’s hero. One great opponent was Batistuta: an extraordinary, complete and frighteningly good player who I often conceded against. On the other hand, I don’t think Van Basten every scored against me, he had lots of shots but I’m not sure he ever got one past me.”

Galante: “I faced some incredible strikers, from Trezeguet to Crespo, Batistuta, Signori, Inzaghi, Weah, Del Piero: they were all difficult to play against. Inzaghi was always difficult to mark, because he played right on the last man and scored a lot of goals.”