Former Inter and Arsenal midfielder Liam Brady shared his thoughts on the upcoming Champions League clash between the two clubs. Despite his long association with Arsenal – a decade as a midfielder in the youth and first team, and 18 years directing their Academy from 1996 to 2014 – when he thinks of Inter, a lingering thought remains , as he shared with Gazzetta dello Sport: “I have a regret that follows me, not winning in Milan. We would have deserved it more than anyone.”
When asked what Arsenal means to him, Brady responds, “It’s the home that welcomed me at 14 from Dublin, the place that made me a player and a man. I remember the ’79 FA Cup won 3-2 against United, pure joy. In 1980 I chose Italy, but as an adult I returned: my heart is there. Eras change, but the club does everything to remain faithful to a tradition of elegance and class.”
Reflecting on Inter, Brady’s first thought is of a fateful night: “The unfortunate night at the Bernabeu, the cursed UEFA semi-final lost in extra time in 1986: that one has never left me… We knew how to entertain, excite with a striking pair like Kalle and Spillo.”
Regarding the current Arsenal team, Brady notes some changes: “Without Ødegaard, they’ve become more predictable, and rivals have found countermeasures. The number one danger for Inter remains Saka, unpredictable and good from set pieces. And the team lacks discipline, having received three red cards so far. If this is the standard, they risk struggling against Inter…”
On Inter’s strengths, Brady comments, “I watched the game with Juve on TV, the Derby d’Italia is a bit of Brady’s derby… They’re very dangerous up front with Lautaro, Thuram, Zielinski’s insertions, but at the back they’re not as solid as in the second star season.”
Brady expresses pride in scoring the penalty that gave Juventus their second star in 1982, but he’s also happy that Inter has reached this milestone. He believes Italian football has returned to its former levels thanks to Inter’s recent years: “Inter would have deserved to win the Champions League final two seasons ago.”
When asked if he sees a “Brady” on the field today, he responds, “I would be a Mkhitaryan or an Ødegaard. Someone who plays in the middle with quality. Maybe there, as you say, in the… mezzala position.”
