Gianluca Zambrotta. Three Scudetti, a World Cup, 297 appearances in black and white and 107 in red and black — no one is better placed to judge tomorrow’s fixture at the Allianz Stadium. La Gazzetta dello Sport tracked him down ahead of Sunday’s match to hear the verdict of a man who knows both clubs from the inside, and who has no interest in diplomatic evasion. His assessment, as always with Zambrotta, was delivered with the directness that defined his playing career.
“It Does Not Particularly Please Managers — but the Late Arrivals Can Come on from the Bench”
On the match arriving only five days after the closure of the transfer window, Zambrotta’s verdict was balanced. “It certainly does not please managers, but I do not see any revolutionary new additions: the last arrivals can come on during the match.” He acknowledged the compensating advantage: both clubs have had a full week to prepare. “They have had the necessary time, and that is fundamental — because for both sides this is the first real match: neither has yet faced a top-level opponent.”
“Winning Against a Direct Rival Will Move a Great Deal — Mentally, Motivationally, and in Terms of Enthusiasm”
The psychological significance of the occasion was addressed without hedging. “Winning will shift a great deal — in terms of mentality, motivation, and enthusiasm. It will tell us where each side actually is. Juventus play at home and will therefore have a small advantage — but I have seen Milan looking better. In a big match, however, everything changes: the motivation, the full stadium, a week in which only this game is discussed. When these matches arrive, condition matters less than mentality — and motivation arrives automatically.”
“I Like Amorim’s Approach — the Substitutions Have Already Made the Difference”
His appreciation for the Milan manager was genuine. “I liked the change of mentality he has already managed to create — he has transformed the squad with a different approach to Allegri. He seeks higher pressing, creates considerably more, and these are significant steps forward. In the first two matches, the substitutions made the difference: Rabiot and Saelemaekers brought the goals — giving freshness and creating numerical superiority is always important.”
On Milan’s transfer business: “They found a strong and authoritative defender in Gila, and although he missed some goals, I liked the work done by Gonçalo Ramos — you also need to find yourself in the right conditions to create chances. I hope he will convert more of them. This Milan side appeals to me. They have started very well and have significant room for improvement: Pulisic is still out, Rabiot was not yet at his best…”
“Scettico Sull’Attacco” — the Words Juventus Supporters Will Not Want to Hear
On the Juventus situation, Zambrotta’s assessment of the defence was warm. “The most significant injury is Yıldız — but Spalletti has rediscovered in Nico González an important player whom he must exploit to the maximum. He also has a fine defensive pairing of physicality, solidity, and personality in Lucumí and Bremer — and he managed to find an Italian goalkeeper in Vicario, which is a point in his favour. On the attack — I remain sceptical.”
The scepticism was specific and statistically grounded. “Kolo Muani on loan had a very high goal-per-match percentage — but with Milik giving no guarantees and Yıldız out… Kolo Muani and Woltemade have scored five goals combined across the whole of 2026. We are not talking about just any club — we are talking about Juventus. And yet I see combined valuations above €100 million for the two of them. That gives me pause.”
“I Would Have Done Everything to Keep Vlahović — I Always Saw Him as a True Number Nine”
The most pointed passage of the interview concerned the summer’s most discussed departure. “I would have done everything to accommodate Vlahović — I always saw him as a genuine number nine. But if he wanted to leave as a free agent, that is another matter — I do not know.” It is the view of a man who, like many former Juventus players, watched the Vlahović saga with a mixture of frustration and resignation.
“Champions League Is Mandatory — the Europa League Can Be Within Reach”
On the season’s objectives: “As for Milan, qualifying for the Champions League is obligatory — and then getting deep into the Europa League is important and could be within reach. In the league I see it as difficult: Inter are much better equipped than everyone else.” On the clubs competing for the remaining European places: “Roma could cause trouble at the top — they impressed me and have an important attack, just look at what Malen and the others are doing. And Spalletti is in the right year: he has been working since the very first day of pre-season and can do something significant.”
“Conceição on the Cover — and Rabiot on the Other Side”
His pick for the match’s decisive figure was unequivocal on the Juventus side: “I like Conceição very much — he is physically sharp, he is the attacking weapon for creating numerical superiority and could be decisive.” For Milan, he chose the former Juventus man: “In the Milan side I am curious about Moreira — he is promising. But on the cover I see Rabiot: he is in form and is also the ex of the occasion.” The final word was a plea from a double ex who has seen enough 0-0 draws to last a lifetime: “I hope for a beautiful match — and that they play open and face each other. Obviously playing well without winning is worth nothing. But please — let us avoid a 0-0.”
