Goran Pandev spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the upcoming match between genoa and Napoli, two teams that are close to his heart. Pandev reflected on his relationships with some of the game’s top managers, speaking fondly of Simone Inzaghi, his former Lazio teammate: “Simone is my friend. We shared seasons and goals at Lazio. He was already a football fanatic back then, a kind of predestined figure. He knew everything about everyone.” On Patrick Vieira, his brief teammate at Inter, Pandev notes, “Tremendous personality, as he’s demonstrating at Genoa. He arrived, took control of the situation, and put together a series of results.” Pandev also praises Gian Piero Gasperini, under whom he played at both Inter and Genoa: “The fortune of any striker is to be coached by someone like him. It was clear he had something special, and you can see it: he changes your life.”
Interestingly, Pandev played a role in Antonio Conte’s tactical revolution. Recalling a match from November 2011, he said, “My brace put us in control at 3-1, but the fruits of that change were seen in the second half. It ended 3-3; I think Pepe equalized in the finale.” He adds, “Conte is a guarantee; like Simone and Gasperini. I have no difficulty in saying: this Scudetto will be played between Atalanta, Inter, and Napoli, in alphabetical order. They have something more than the others and have coaches who make a difference.”
When discussing his experiences with Inter Milan, Pandev expressed gratitude: “I will always thank Inter for bringing me to Italy and making me become a man. My experience at the Nerazzurri was fantastic.” He fondly recalls his time with Napoli as well: “Winning the Coppa Italia against Conte’s team was special—2-0 for us; Cavani scored from a penalty, and then Hamsik closed it with a lightning counterattack.”
Despite his influence on managers, Pandev dismissed the idea of becoming a coach himself: “I’m not thinking about it at all. The idea of having to think for twenty-five players and the stress that the role produces—no, I’ll do something else.” Instead, he’s looking forward to a potential role as technical director for the Macedonian national team: “Masar Omeragic wants to invest me with responsibilities in a role that excites me.”
Reflecting on past Genoa-Napoli encounters during the Covid period, Pandev recalled: “Empty stadiums brought unpleasant sensations, but football had the strength—one might say the power—to help distract.” As he reminisces about his career and the talented players he’s played alongside—from Cavani and Lavezzi to Insigne and Higuain—he concludes with admiration: “What feet, guys! I’ve been fortunate to play alongside such incredible talent.”
