Fatih Terim
Born: 14.09.54
The most successful Turkish coach of recent times. Guided Turkey to the finals of Euro 96 and won the 2000 UEFA Cup with Galatasaray before heading for Italy. Clashed with Fiorentina owner Vittorio Cecchi Gori and quit last spring, when he was widely tipped to take over at Milan. Capped 51 times as a player by Turkey, he made his name as coach of the Turkish Under-21 side that won the 1993 Mediterranean Games.
Cosmin Contra
15.12.75
Romanian right-back and another summer signing from Alaves, for whom he was arguably man of the match in last season’s epic UEFA Cup Final against Liverpool.
Massimo Donati
26.03.81
Highly-rated young midfielder who came through the ranks at Atalanta before being signed by Milan last year. Stayed on loan in Bergamo before moving to the San Siro this summer.
Filippo Inzaghi
09.08.73
Renowned penalty-box poacher who moved to Milan in a œ26m summer deal from Juventus. Slight of frame but a very sharp finisher. Nicknamed’Pippo’ and elder brother of Lazio striker Simone.
Martin Laursen
26.07.77 Powerful, goalscoring centre-back who joined Milan in the summer from Verona. Danish international.
Javi Moreno
10.09.74
Spanish international striker who made his name in Alaves’s run to the 2001 UEFA Cup Final, when he scored twice against Liverpool. Failed to make the grade at Barcelona and then spent threeseasons in Spain’s lower divisions. Joined Milan in a œ5m deal.
Kakha Kaladze
27.02.78
Georgian international defender who is not strictly a new boy, having been signed from Kyiv Dynamo in early 2001. A powerful, intelligent centre-back who can also play in midfield.
Vitaly Kutuzov
01.01.70
Belorussian striker signed after impressing for Bate Borisov against Milan in the first round of this season’s UEFA Cup. Likely to play more often following injury to Jose Mari.
Manuel Rui Costa
29.03.72
Midfield playmaker and one of the most talented players to have come out of Portugal in recent years. A World Youth Cup winner in 1991, he joined Milan this summer for œ28m after seven seasons at Fiorentina.
Umit Davala
30.07.73
Turkish midfielder who is so versatile that he played in every position except goalkeeper for his previous club, Galatasaray. Favours playing at right-back for the Turkish national side.
This interview appeared in the November 2001 issue of World Soccer.
