Michele Padovano Exclusive Q&A: The AC Milan star who is “the best Serie A player” and his thoughts on Inter’s Scudetto chances

Three hundred and thirty five professional matches, 91 goals scored. Michele Padovano was the rock of every Juventus fan during the glorious years of Lippi at the helm of the Old Lady. Every Juventus fan knew that when Padovano came on during a match, he would make his mark. Always and without fail.

Here, he talks exclusively to Foot Italia about Inter’s Scudetto chances, the 1996 Champions League final and who is the best player in the Serie A.

Juventus icon Michele Padovano exclusive interview

Q: Did you experience football more as part of your identity than as a job?

Michele Padovano: Well, initially, yes. They say that being a football player is a sacrifice, but for me it never was. For me, it was fun and something I couldn’t do without. Just think, I even played when I was alone, if my teammates weren’t there, and I played for hours by myself with the ball, against the wall. And maybe that’s what today’s generations are missing, which ultimately has an impact on the field.

Q: What does winning with a great team really leave inside a football player?

MP: Great satisfaction, great happiness. But I always say that I don’t know if I can convey the good things I’ve been through. Both the good and the bad, right? It’s difficult to convey the emotions you feel to others. I think they’re very personal, and only those who have experienced them know what you’ve been through and what you’ve lived through, even if, I mean, by talking about them, you can somehow convey what you felt.

Q: Who do you think is the best player in Serie A at the moment?

MP: Well, I really like Rabiot. In my opinion, Juventus let him go too easily, but he’s a player who really shifts the balance, the rhythm and, in this case, the fate of Milan. I would have done everything to keep him, because Juventus lacks that type of player, not only on the field, but also off the field with the experience of a 27 to 30-year-old. It becomes essential to have them when you get to March-April.

Q: There is still a long way to go until the end of the season, but who do you see as the favorite for the Scudetto?

MP: Inter seem to be cruising towards the title. I think they are definitely the team with the strongest squad in our league. Since the start of the season, I have favored Napoli, but objectively speaking, they have had some incredible injuries. It is unthinkable that a team could cope with a situation like this. They have been very, very unlucky. But they are not out of it.  I believe that Antonio Conte will not give up, so if Inter were to lose ground, I would say: watch out for Napoli.

Q: May 22, 1996: Rome, Champions League final, Juventus vs. Ajax. UCL winner to be decided on penalties. After Peruzzi saved Davids’ shot, everyone else scored. Third penalty, you’re on the spot against Van der Sar. What were you thinking?

MP: In all the teams I’ve played for, I’ve always been the penalty taker. I’ve never worried about taking a penalty, I’ve scored many, I think I’ve only missed one in Serie A. So, great awareness of your abilities, a bit of healthy recklessness, because if you think about what’s in front of you and how many people are watching you, you’ll probably get a little more worried, but at that moment I have to say I was very calm and very serene.

Q: What do you think went wrong in the two consecutive Champions League finals, which were then lost to Real and Borussia?

MP: I really don’t know. One thing is certain: the year after the final against Borussia, the atmosphere was not the same as the year before… and you could feel it even from a distance. I was injured, but I went with the guys to Munich anyway. I could sense that the tension was not the same as the year before. And that probably caused us to lose the game as favorites, because objectively we were clearly stronger than them.

Michele Padovano chatted with us about the Italian National Team situation, life lessons, and his best Starting XI.