Pippo Inzaghi recounts what then-Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admitted after the Milan striker secured a brace in the 2010 Champions League match.
Approaching the twilight of his career in November 2010, Inzaghi began the game on the bench for this group stage encounter. Despite Real Madrid initially leading 1-0 at San Siro, Inzaghi, dubbed SuperPippo, entered the fray in the 60th minute and swiftly altered the course of the game with two goals within 18 minutes.
Although Pedro Leon salvaged a last-minute equalizer for Real Madrid, Inzaghi, the seasoned veteran, etched his name in the annals of history.
Reflecting on the memorable occasion, Inzaghi shared with DAZN, “That was a magical night.”
“I was on the bench, but had brought with me two shirts just in case to celebrate my 69th and 70th goals in Europe. I came on and scored twice. “I brought one of those shirts to Stefano Borgonovo and when I think back on that match, I also remember giving him the shirt.”
Borgonovo, a former player for Milan and Fiorentina, was battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), eventually succumbing to the debilitating condition in 2013.
Inzaghi’s goals allowed him to equal the European goal-scoring record set by Raul, “until the emergence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo…”
Speaking to DAZN, Inzaghi revealed that at the final whistle, Mourinho approached him and whispered something in his ear. “He gave me a hug and said ‘I was really hoping you weren’t going to play today.’”
