Interview: “I was thrilled when I got the call from Celtic,” Massimo Donati, “I found myself in a truly fantastic world”

During a live Instagram on the Taca La Marca channel, Massimo Donati, former football player and technician, currently commentator DAZN, spoke to the microphones about his football path and much more. Here is what emerged:

The first goal in my career –  “One of the best goals of my career was perhaps my first in Serie A, in the derby against Brescia, the team in which Roberto Baggio played.  I managed to put it under the intersection with a left foot shot. Subsequently, even with the Messina shirt, always with a left foot, I went on to net against Brescia. Although, I am honest when I say that Atalanta is the team I have scored the most goals against.”

Milan –  “At Milan I found myself in one of the most important clubs in the world, comparing myself with absolute champions. I was very young at the time and perhaps I was not ready for that adventure and in some ways I felt I had arrived, a mistake I have never made again in my football career.”

Celtic –  “I was thrilled when I got the call from Celtic, I felt ready to measure myself in such a context and to play the Champions League. From that club I knew the coat of arms and the shirt, I found myself in a truly fantastic world. It was so good that I embarked on a path as a player and as a coach. In addition, I have always liked a typical Scottish custom, which I would like to see in Italy: the technicians meet after the meeting to have a beer and exchange opinions.”

Champions League nights – “I spent unforgettable Champions League nights with Celtic, in fact in the group I found myself playing against Milan, which had sold me the year before, and which we beat in the return match. For me this represented a small revenge. Furthermore, I will never forget the goal scored at the end of the game that decided the match against Shakhtar, a match that had the flavour of a play-off for the purposes of qualifying for the round of 16, perhaps the highest and most intense moment of my career. ”

Central defender with Gasperini – “In Palermo after the farewell of Sannino, Gasperini arrived who on his first day in Sicily asked me if I was available to play in the centre in a three-man defence, which excited me since I could see much of the  ball in that role, even if at times I paid the comparison with the most experienced strikers (Toni, Gilardino).

Game goddesses – “I really like Gasperini’s Atalanta for its principles, a team that presses and is not afraid to play one-on-one, my idea of ​​football is inspired by some concepts of this team. In addition, I also appreciate Juric’s Verona which a little represents the same style of play.

Teammates – “Maldini impressed me so much, you always saw him at the top both on the pitch and in training. He had extraordinary physical strength and mentally he was truly incredible. Another teammate that I had really strong was McGeady at Celtic as well as Nakamura. ”

Bari – “It was an incredible experience, in a beautiful city and with exceptional fans. It can be divided into three moments: the first year we had a wonderful season, we beat everyone and played memorable games, bringing 30,000 fans to the Olimpico. With Ventura we all played by heart, everyone knew what to do with the ball and without. Then there was the second phase which began with the victory against Juventus where I scored the decisive goal, before a total collapse after a good start.

Then there was the return when the team found themselves in B, my intention was to give my contribution to bring the club back to A. Now the team finds itself in C but there is a solid club that will certainly be able to bring Bari back to the top. ”

Technicians – “All the technicians I had left me something, from a tactical point of view I’ll give you the names of Gasperini and Ventura.”

Sullo and Messina – “Sullo always says, jokingly, that he created me, with him we achieved great victories with Messina, he was a great player and had unique playing times. I found him in Bari as a technician. ”

Derby – “The derbies are all beautiful, wonderful and real matches, full of tension and emotions, despite this, I quote you the Old Firm between Celtic and Rangers where there is another type of pathos since it goes beyond football .”

The Italian talent – “I met Locatelli when he was very young at Milan, his growth really impressed me, he is doing great things with Sassuolo also thanks to De Zerbi. He is truly a complete midfielder.”

Childhood idols – “My father passed on his passion for Milan to me, so I have always admired the three Dutchmen: Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard.”

Future as a technician – “I see myself very well in the role of a technician, in fact I can’t wait. I like having the responsibility of 24-25 players, especially guiding them mentally, instilling in them that ambition by which everything can be done.”

Below are some photographs of Massimo Donati froths playing days in Italian football…