Former Inter player Savo Pandev talked about his relationships with José Mourinho and Inzaghi: "Christian (Inzaghi) is intelligent; he grew step by step from the youth academy. Today's Inter are stronger than last year, and I think that European competition should be a real goal for the team".

Pandev laughed during an interview in Genoa, with a knowing expression, as if he had long guessed what would happen today at the press conference: "I can't wait to hear what José Mourinho will say at the press conference. I hope he won't make his usual jokes, and it's better not to mention Christian. I'm curious". He laughed, remembering the old days when he and Inzaghi were on the wing, and José Mourinho was on the bench, holding the Champions League trophy at the Bernabéu stadium.

Here's what was said in the interview:

Reporter: What's been said in the champion team's chat?

Pandev: "It's been quiet so far. For now…"

Reporter: Have you been in touch with Inzaghi?

Pandev: "No, I don't want to bother him. But I'm genuinely happy for him".

Reporter: What about José Mourinho, are you still in touch with him?

Pandev: "Sometimes, although he's changed his number now".

Reporter: Sixteen years later, what do you think about Inter, José Mourinho, and the Bernabéu stadium?

Pandev: "I lifted the trophy and celebrated late into the night... all because of doping control. The tests took a long time: the whole team was waiting for me on the plane, and the plane was still in the middle of the runway…"

Reporter: What is your deepest memory of the Champions League final?

Pandev: "Mourinho and Materazzi embracing with tears in their eyes. Every time I see that moment, I think: how lucky we were back then".

Mourinho called me when I was dropped from Lazio. He loaned me out three days later; I hadn't played for six months.

Reporter: When did you first contact José Mourinho?

Pandev: "He called me when I was dropped from Lazio. He asked me: 'Do you want to come and win with us?' Three days later he put me on against Chievo. I hadn't played football for six months. He had some kind of magic".

Reporter: Could he also turn Mbappé into a right-back?

Pandev: "Of course, just like he did with Eto'o. Samuel would walk through fire and water for him".

Reporter: Do you remember the pre-final talk?

Pandev: "Actually, Mourinho was never one for long speeches. Meetings lasted only two or three minutes; he'd pat us on the shoulder and then shout a few words in Portuguese, like: 'Go on, win this damn thing'".

Reporter: When did you realize you could win the Champions League?

Pandev: "In Barcelona it was easiest to believe. I'd say it was after we beat Chelsea in the Round of 16. As for the match at Camp Nou, what can you say? After the opponent got an unjust red card, we played with ten men for 80 minutes, and Mourinho went over to Guardiola and Ibrahimovic, whispered something to them, and then the sprinklers turned on… that was magic".

Reporter: What kind of player was Inzaghi?

Pandev: "A man who didn't even want to lose at cards. I didn't expect him to become a manager, but he's very intelligent. He started in the youth academy and slowly built a solid foundation".

Reporter: Why is Mourinho still "Special"?

Pandev: "He tells you straight what he thinks, hiding nothing. He was the same with Inzaghi once".

Reporter: You scored three goals in two matches against Real Madrid: was it easy?

Pandev: "I wish it were that easy! In 2007 I scored two goals for Lazio at the Olimpico, a 2-2 draw, where I also exchanged shirts with van Nistelrooy; later I scored another in the return match at the Bernabéu. But that time I kept my shirt because I didn't think I'd ever play there again…"

Reporter: What was the secret of that Inter team?

Pandev: "I'd say unity. We got along very well and were all friends".

Reporter: Who will be the decisive player now?

Pandev: "Lautaro. If he's in good form, everyone else will be better too".

Reporter: Can Inter win the Champions League?

Pandev: "Compared to last year, they're stronger and should aim for it".

Переведено ИИ.

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