When will the Milan Derby Return to its Past Greatness?

There was once a time, which seems almost a lifetime ago where every football fan, would clear their diary for the Milan Derby.

This was back in the days of Weah, Ronaldo, Maldini, Rui Costa, Zanetti, Zamorano and other greats who have played for the giants of Milan. It was always a colossal event that delivered both on the pitch and in its absorbing atmosphere










I can remember one such a match involving the incredible Ronaldo. To this day, I swear, as I watched it on that Sunday coming back from church; the ground shook every time Ronaldo touched the ball and you saw the Milan players back away, cowering in fear at the Brazilian Phenom.

A memory that will never leave me.

This was back at a time where El Clasico, the Merseyside and North London Derbies or even Der Klassiker were overshadowed when both Milan sides collided. They were the heavyweights of football and any player who wanted to prove themselves, had to play for either one of these teams.

It's why Ronaldo, who was already showing his incredible talent for Barcelona, made the move to Inter Milan. He was seen as the next great thing, so he had to make the move to a great club.

Fast-forward to 2017, and you cannot name one world-class player that wears the colours of either side. Both clubs have little to no chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, and the fixture no longer draws the eye of the footballing world.

Now, this is not to say that both teams are poor. Far from it. AC Milan have overachieved under Montella this season, and they have in Donnarruma, a goalkeeper who is destined to take over when the great Buffon retires.

Inter Milan may have not yet found their consistency, and their dismissal of Roberto Mancini before the season started did not help things. But with Perisic, Eder and Banega, there is a spine forming, with some really good talent that can take them places in the future.

The reality though is, there isn't a player that you would say is among the top five in their position. There is no equivalent of a Ronaldo, Maldini, or Pirlo.

But times may be a-changing.

AC Milan have finally been sold by Berlusconi, and Inter Milan look to slowly be rebuilding. Inter are a team that I see already having the very seeds of what could be a very powerful team in the future that may perhaps emulate the incredible 2010 generation.

So even though this very Milan derby won't carry the same level of excitement, it might perhaps form the beginning of a return back to the forefront of football for these legendary clubs.

The first tie they played was superb. And what they did not have in star-power, they made up in an exciting football match against two old rivals.

But football has missed both of these clubs being in the limelight.

As I see how much dominance the Spanish teams have had in Europe, with only Juventus and Bayern offering any real resistance, it's made me truly miss those European nights in the smoky enclave of the San Siro.

There's something about the gargantuan, gladiatorial setting of the Milan stadium that makes it truly feel like a grand footballing occassion. Which is why I am desperate for both of these clubs to get it right financially as well as getting the results on the pitch.

The reality is money talks. You can't have the Ajax or Arsenal model of holding onto your academy players, with your head in the sand, assuming that a big club with enough cash to buy an island won't pry away your young star.

It's about buy-buy, or you will be left to sell-sell which leads to lose-lose.

It's all about the future, and let us hope that when the first Milan derby rolls around next season, we will finally see the calibre of player that such a grand and important sporting event deserves.


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