Ex Inter Milan & Red Star Striker: “Need Great Number 9 To Win Champions League”

Former Inter Milan and Red Star Belgrade center-forward Darko Pancev insists it takes a ‘great’ striker to win the UEFA Champions League trophy.

During an interview with FCInterNews, Pancev discussed several topics ahead of Inter’s upcoming clash against Red Star at Giuseppe Meazza.

Pancev, the former Champions League winner with the Serbian team, swapped the Balkans for the Nerazzurri in 1992.

However, his career in Serie A never took off, as he only made 19 league appearances for Inter between 1992 and 1995.

But he was part of the Nerazzurri squad to win the UEFA Cup title in 1993/94.

As his two former clubs lock horns in a must-win Champions League clash on Tuesday night, Pancev shared his thoughts about the competition.

Former Inter Milan & Red Star Striker Says What It Takes to Win Champions League Title

“They are two famous teams with a long and rich football tradition and history,” Pancev stated. “Both are recognized and accepted, they are deservedly found in the list of eternal and greatest teams in the UEFA and FIFA documents.

“Winners of European and world titles, they are among the most famous and popular clubs on the planet, supported by an army of world-class fans.”

Pancev is adamant the Nerazzurri belong to the world’s elite.

“Inter is certainly among the top 10 clubs in the world,” he admitted. “What can be expected from the match is a duel between two giants, who still cultivate the philosophy of football.

“Inter are currently in a better situation if you take into account their great financial power and the quality of the league in which they play.

“In recent years they have dominated Serie A. They have important players, with a lot of experience, which is very important, but also decisive, in games like this.

“Red Star is superior in its league, with a squad made up of young players who are relatively unknown outside their country.

“Due to financial circumstances, the team sells the best every season and they play in a significantly weaker league than the Italian one.

“Seen like this, Inter are the absolute favorites. But in football, the favourite doesn’t always win.”

Pancev Praises Inter Milan Rise Over Past Two Decades

“Inter are a great club and, in the last twenty years, they have significantly changed their tactics on the pitch,” the North Macedonian said. 

“With the arrival of President Moratti and his team of people, the era of defensive and unattractive football of my stay in Milan has been overcome.

“It took a long time, but in the end the tenacity and commitment paid off, I would say since the arrival of Mancini on the bench.

“The team now wants to play, compete, attack, normally the results are not lacking.

“The correct scouting policy has brought players like Barella and Calhanoglu, the talented Thuram, and especially Lautaro in attack.

“Inter are a serious contender to go far in the Champions League and the number one favorite for the Scudetto.”

Pancev Waxes Lyrical About Former Inter Milan Striker Diego Milito

“To give an evaluation of the current team,  I take you back to 2010 when they won the Champions League with the team made up of excellent players and with a serious and capable coach.

“They had been champions in Italy for several years. But in football circles, they were not considered as the main favorites for the final victory of the big-eared cup.

“With a player who stood out and secured Inter’s success, Milito.

“The essence of this game is to win over your opponent, and the goal is the means by which you achieve it. 

“Milito had been the top scorer, he scored game after game, until he scored twice in the final.

“I say this because you didn’t ask me what the team might be missing to repeat this great success.”

Pancev Backs Inter Milan For Serie A Glory & Puts Them On Champions League ‘Shortlist’ of Favorites

“To win the title in the Italian league, the absolute favorite is Inter,” he continued.

“But for the Champions League Inter will be on the shortlist, but I still think that the main aspirants are Real, City, and Bayern.”

He also appreciates Inzaghi’s coaching qualities.

“Absolutely, he is a modern coach, he knows the secrets of football very well. He already has the experience and, above all, he wants to compete.

“He cultivates an attacking idea, an attacking game and he himself is one of those who can take the team in the desired direction.”

Darko Pancev Backs Lautaro Martinez to Become Ballon d’Or Contender

Pancev admires Lautaro Martinez but insists it takes something extra to win the Ballon d’Or.

“Lautaro is a fantastic player. But the first condition for such a result is a lot of goals. He needs to score to ensure that Inter win the Scudetto and then the Champions League.

“This task is difficult, but not impossible. There will be some serious competition over the names mentioned earlier. However, anything is possible.”

He discussed two other Inter strikers, Mehdi Taremi and Marcus Thuram.

“I don’t know Taremi deeply, I can’t say anything,” he claimed.

“Thuram is very promising. He has excellent performances and if he dedicates himself completely to football he will launch himself toward the heights that his extraordinary talent deserves.”

Pancev Believes Lautaro & Thuram Bear Much Resemblance to His Playing Style

“It’s difficult for me to make comparisons like that. Plus, I was the classic nine and Inter don’t have that type of player.

“Lautaro, maybe Thuram. But their handicap is that they don’t have Savicevic, Stojkovic, or Prosinechki in Red Star, or Boban and Jarni in the national team.”

The 59-year-old named several Red Star players that could put Inter in trouble.

“I would like the young Maksimovic, Olalinka, or Silas to live their day and behave well. 

“For the Red Star youngsters, it would have been more favorable if the match had been played at the Marakana in Belgrade because of the magnificent atmosphere.

“They would have been more motivated, the public would have led them to give their best and it would have been a further opportunity to make Inter and Italian football known in this part of Europe. 

“But who knows, it is possible that the famous San Siro stadium is the real inspiration for the Serbian team.”

Finally, he provided a diplomatic answer on his favorite team tonight.

“I hope you are not serious in asking me this question.”