Shevchenko and Inzaghi during the 2003 UCL final (©Action Images/Darren Walsh)
Shevchenko and Inzaghi during the 2003 UCL final (©Action Images/Darren Walsh)

The untold AC Milan story: Pippo and Sheva nearly came to blows before Old Trafford glory

Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 28.11.25. | 22:45

Former Milan and Chelsea midfielder Dalla Bona reveals the fiery training session before the Champions League triumph over Juventus

Former Milan midfielder Samuele Dalla Bona has revealed a fiery moment between Filippo Pippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko before the 2003 Champions League Final against Juventus.

"I watched the final from the stands. During the last training session, Pippo and Sheva really went at each other. Maldini walked over and told them to stop," Dalla Bona told Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian midfielder, who made 16 appearances for Milan and was part of Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League-winning squad, also recalled Inzaghi's obsessive preparation:

"He practised his runs alone on a golf course. Pippo was a cannibal."

Dalla Bona's Milan career may have been brief, but one game stood out: his start against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

"I played one half badly, had Roberto Carlos in front of me, got a yellow card after 15 minutes, and came off. If I had passed that test, I might have continued. Italian football judges immediately."

Reflecting on his career, Dalla Bona contrasted Italy with England:

"Chelsea was a different kind of football, without pressure. In Italy, one day you're terrible, the next day the best - it's toxic, harmful. I should have stayed at Chelsea for life."

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 13

Friday

22.45: (1.70) Como (3.80) Sassuolo (5.60)

Saturday

17.00: (2.10) Genoa (3.05) Verona (4.10)

17.00: (2.70) Parma (3.15) Udinese (2.95)

20.00: (1.33) Juventus (4.90) Cagliari (10.5)

22.45: (1.65) Milan (3.80) Lazio (6.50)

Sunday

14.30: (2.90) Lecce (2.95) Torino (2.70)

17.00: (10.0) Pisa (5.00) Inter (1.33)

20.00: (1.75) Atalanta (3.60) Fiorentina (4.90)

22.45: (2.65) Roma (3.00) Napoli (3.15)

Monday

22.45: (1.47) Bologna (4.10) Cremonese (7.75)

***odds are subject to change***



tags

AC MilanAndriy ShevchenkoFilippo Pippo InzaghiUEFA Champions League

Other News