Thomas Helveg left Italy for good in the summer of 2004, when he left Appiano Gentile to go to Norwich. Deputy coach of the Danish U-19 national team, the former Udinese, AC Milan and Inter Milan full-back always has his eye on the Italian league. And in Serie A this weekend there is a match that Helveg has experienced first-hand, playing it several times in both the Milan and Inter shirts: the 'derby della Madonnina'.
Flashscore's Antonio Moschella sat down with Helveg and discussed all things related to the upcoming derby, the evolution of the fixture, Milan's form, Ronaldo and more.
Milan-Inter, back in the day, was a high-voltage derby.
It was always a spectacle to play a derby. In Rome and Milan you live in a different way. And I've experienced many of them, especially with Milan. It's a special match, and it all comes out of the dynamics of the season. It was the same when I played. Nothing has changed in that.
Sunday's match is a challenge that sees Milan coming from a disappointing time.
I think Milan have suffered a setback after the World Cup. There are some players who have not been able to recover from the fatigues of the competition, which always wears you down. Today's Milan is really struggling, their sudden collapse is too strange.
At the World Cup, only Theo Hernandez and Giroud, who failed to score for four games until the goal against Sassuolo, have gone down. And Leao doesn't seem to be back to his level yet?
I don't know the specific situations well, but as far as Leao (23) is concerned I think that sometimes coming back from a competition like the World Cup without having achieved what you set out to do can have a negative effect on your performance. These things happen, but it is also true that he is one of the team's aces and is always expected to make a difference. There are periods, moreover, in which if you are not at the top physically you also fall mentally. And Milan has fallen into a negative dynamic.
Is it a crisis?
I wouldn't really call it one. But it is true that the road to an important goal has now become longer and more difficult.
Who has the most to lose on Sunday in the derby?
Undoubtedly Milan, because if they were to lose it would be their third game in a row. A victory, on the other hand, would boost the morale of Pioli's team, who are coming from the humiliation against Sassuolo. Also because the Scudetto is very difficult to reach, so it is necessary to give a strong sign in the fight for the Champions League. On a psychological level, the derby can have a huge influence on the rest of the season, and if, for example, Inter were to triumph, it would also be an important sign to Lazio and Atalanta.
Injured Tomori, his teammate Simon Kjaer could play again in the centre of defence.
It is a chance for him to relaunch himself, no doubt. At the World Cup he was unlucky, because he played half an hour in the first game and then was replaced. Then he didn't play anymore and we were eliminated. I think his preparation for the World Cup was not perfect.
How do you see him now?
He hasn't played too much lately, so he will have to come out of it mentally. I hope he recovers as best he can, because he was unlucky at the World Cup, where he worked twice as hard as normal to be there and then didn't, because of physical problems. My wish is that he comes back as a starter and can make a difference again.
A derby that will always remain in your memory?
Without a doubt the 6-0 victory (in the 2000-01 season). That evening was magical, I remember Comandini's brace that opened up a historic triumph, it gave us the boost for the rest of the season. It was one of the most beautiful evenings for me as a Milan player. An unforgettable game.
In the Rossonero his captain was Paolo Maldini. In nerazzurro the armband was on the arm of Javier Zanetti. Two flags.
Two quiet leaders who did not raise their voices, but commanded firmly and in the right way. Today there are no more players like that, no more pillars. As people attached to the shirt, at Milan I also remember Costacurta and Albertini.
I notice a certain nostalgia in your statements?
(Laughs). More than nostalgia in fact. You cannot compare the football of the past and that of today. On the contrary, some players who were strong 30 years ago, I don't know if they would make a difference today. Football has changed so much. It's all about explosiveness.
Speaking of explosiveness. First at Udinese and then at AC Milan you had to mark a certain Ronaldo on a few occasions.
He was a striker who was a story in himself. If you were waiting for him he would take you out in progression, but if you were close to him he would dribble right past you. He always embarrassed you. There were few like him.
