When he speaks of Inter, Massimo Moratti continues say: 'We'. When, on the other hand, he refers to 'them', he does so in an attempt to emphasise a certain detachment that, however, is only 'goliardic'. And, besides, both he and his family refer to that collective imagination of those who still approach football today with that hint of romanticism and disenchantment now lost, which should be rediscovered: 'The derbies of the 60s? Well, they were painful, but they were a lot of fun'.
What memories do you have of the challenges between bauscia and casciavit?
'Ah, you cannot understand... Those were times when you wanted to emphasise a difference in cheering. And it was a lot of fun. At the end of the game you would have a funeral for the team that had lost. It was very pleasant.
Probably, when you were the president and not your father, derbies were less fun.
'In reality it was always a very painful game. Then it's clear that when you're in charge of one of the two teams you don't want to make a bad impression on the city, so you suffer before, during and, if you lose, afterwards. The feelings between my father's derbies and mine against Berlusconi were the same, perhaps it was the people who had changed a little. One thing, however, has remained the same: today, as then, it's not certain that the team that arrives at the derby as the favourite will win the match.
Inter are favourites for Sunday's derby?
"On the day of the Super Cup derby the feeling was very good because the team played well, took the field determined. It looked like a real team. They played an important game, playing very well. And that deceived everyone a bit, because then we returned to the championship and, therefore, to normality.
A normality made up of recurring mini-crises on both sides.
'Inter, however, is showing more continuity'.
Well, it doesn't take much.
'Yes, but it really gives the impression of being stronger. At least at the moment. As far as Milan are concerned, on the other hand, you have to understand what kind of crisis it is: whether it is only psychological or also athletic. Certainly, they are not going through an easy period. But precisely for this reason, the derby becomes a valid opportunity to make up for it. We, however, have on our side the advantage of arriving at the match with a stronger spirit.
So far, in the league, Simone Inzaghi has not been convincing.
'He cares about it this year, just as he did last season. And it is precisely the burden of not having won the Scudetto last year that has weighed on the consistency of this team again this year'.
Did Milan win last year or did Inter lose?
"Both. Inter certainly threw the Scudetto away, but Milan, in the end, for what they did, deserved to win it."
This season, however, the title seems to be heading south.
"I would love it if Napoli won it. First of all, because it would change the game a bit. And secondly, Napoli is becoming an important club outside Italy too. Let's hope they continue to do well in Europe too. From all points of view, and not just the footballing one, it is also very important for Naples to experience a situation like this'.
Further north, however, things are taking a turn for the worse. From Iuliano's penalty to Ronaldo to the capital gains, how is Juve experiencing this second crisis?
'I don't like talking about it because it's a bit of a bleak and sad situation. I feel sorry, especially for football, which doesn't give a very good image. I really hope Juve comes out of it with dignity."
Some people say that everyone makes capital gains.
"That's a joke I don't like. I'm not into it. Having said that, I've been away from football for many years and I don't know what's going on today'.
Back to the derby. The trait d'union between your father and you has the profile of Peppino Prisco.
'He was the continuity of Inter. I remember him as a very intelligent and likeable person. Of a unique mental quickness. A lawyer of the highest level and a person who had many merits (he was a gold medal winner in the war!), but who never lost his great simplicity. His friendliness also served Inter well'.
Prisco would probably chain himself to the gates of the San Siro. Would you throw him down?
'Absolutely not. Talking to those who have experienced the victories and the suffering, both my father and myself, I realise that for them it would be like someone hurting one of their relatives. And, then, also from a logical and rational point of view, it seems to me that it is a stadium that responds exactly to the needs and requirements of the fan: to go to the stadium and see the game well. And this San Siro allows that'.
Why is it that while Real Madrid and Barcelona are renovating the Bernabeu and Camp Nou, Milan is thinking of destroying the San Siro?
"I don't know, maybe there is a co-responsibility of the City Council. At both Real and Barça, the corporate approach is different. The participation of shareholders is very important and this favours that decisions are made by experts'.
Do you think it is possible that Inter and Milan will return to Milanese hands?
"No, it seems impossible to me. At least at the moment. Then I don't know what kind of financial and economic evolution the Italian sphere might have, but it's difficult today for a family to take over a football team because both the risk and the exposure are considerable'.
Do you have any regrets?
'Being president of Inter was a great emotion, a privilege. I made a mountain of mistakes. This does not take away, however, that the final result seemed good to me. We achieved many victories that are important for the image of the club'.
What about some players you would have liked to bring to Milan?
'Many. In many cases, though, it wasn't up to us. Like Cantona, who is the first one I would have liked to take and who narrowly escaped us. I'm sure he would have allowed us to win even earlier.
Did you love Ronaldo or Recoba more?
'Good choice. They are both footballers I am very fond of. Ronaldo is an extraterrestrial from a footballing point of view, while Recoba is the most amazing player I have ever seen, someone who would win you the game with five minutes to go. I admired them both and loved them both.
This, perhaps, is more difficult: Mourinho or Herrera?
(Laughs) 'I always considered them very similar. And I must admit that I took Mourinho with Herrera in mind because he had similar characteristics both in communication and character, determination and professionalism. And, then, they were not only good, but also successful'.
Don't tell me you're also a bit of a Roma supporter?
"Of course I am, without a doubt! And, if we forget last night (defeat in the Coppa Italia against Cremonese), Mou is also doing quite well, despite the fact that it's not an easy situation'.
