The former Rossoneri goalkeeper praised the captain's save against Internazionale: "Maignan is always focused and alert. This Rossoneri team will continue to grow."
A save worthy of Dida himself. On Saturday night, Maignan denied Spence a 2-2 equalizer with a spectacular stop reminiscent of the Brazilian goalkeeper, who won everything there was to win with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Milan, and the Brazilian national team. Nélson Dida was in the stands for the derby, naturally as a Milan fan. He will also be watching on TV tomorrow night for the match against Ferencvarosi TC, hoping for another win to help the Rossoneri reclaim their European glory.
Dida, as a Milan fan, how happy were you after the derby?
"Very happy, because after the previous loss to Bologna, Milan showed strong focus and a desire to bounce back. I was also pleased with the team's performance, the players' cohesion, and their attitude."
What did you like most about the team?
"We saw strong determination from the team right from the opening whistle. The players confronted their opponents head-on, were brave in one-on-one situations, and showed they believed in victory. It was a performance full of personality and courage."
Was Maignan's incredible save, especially the miraculous reaction at 2-1, key to the team's victory?
"It was an incredible save, truly extraordinary. It shows that Maignan is always focused and alert. At that moment, his save helped the team preserve its lead, which was undoubtedly very important."
Did you expect Diego Moreira to be so crucial in his first Serie A season, and so early on?
"Diego Moreira is a young talent who is growing rapidly. He has proven his value to the team match after match, and he has also shown his confidence. I hope he continues to grow and helps his teammates even more."
Does Milan have reason to compete for the Serie A title?
"I think Milan first needs to find its rhythm and increasingly control games. We won a derby, but there is still a long way to go to win the league title. My hope is to see this team continue to grow and prove that it can become stronger."
Starting tomorrow, the team also needs to improve its position in European competition. Could underestimating Ferencvarosi TC be the biggest risk?
"The most important thing is to continue the work the coach is doing. Playing against the Hungarian team will not be easy, but winning is important to stay near the top. Milan must never underestimate any opponent: they must step onto the field with respect, approach the challenge with the right mindset, and play their own football."
Do you agree that, given Milan's tradition and seven European Cup trophies, they should be challenging for the Europa League title?
"All teams want to win, but Milan clearly carries a different responsibility because of its history. It's a very important club in world football, so winning matters a great deal to the club, the fans, and supporters worldwide."
What has been missing against Benfica and AFC Bournemouth so far?
"Undoubtedly, the opponents were strong. Milan could have done better, but the team is growing, and there are important players on the bench. These players can help cover for some of the injuries. A deep squad is an advantage, and it will be very useful in the second half of the season: to go all the way in every competition, everyone's contribution is needed."
Do you like Amorim?
"I had the privilege of being there when he arrived in Milan, and I spent some time with him at Casa Milan and San Siro. He's a great person, a young coach who has already gained significant experience in the football world and has an extremely strong desire to win. He is still adapting to Milan but is quickly learning everything needed to do a good job in this environment. I believe he can do very well here: he has courage, knows his abilities, and knows he can bring a lot to this team."
Would Modric have been useful in your Milan team that won everything?
"Of course. Modric is a joy to watch: he still runs a lot and has an astonishing will to win. He is certainly a role model for young players and a great source of inspiration."
If you could play for this Milan team today, would you like to?
"Unfortunately, time passes for everyone! I always wanted to be on the field because I have a huge love for football. This sport gave me everything, and I am really happy to have had this opportunity in my life. Milan is like a family to me. If I could go back in time, I would still be on the field wearing the red and black jersey."
Did you like Saturday's atmosphere? Milan fans were the 12th man on the field.
"San Siro has a magic, and seeing the stadium full gives anyone goosebumps. Seeing the stands, the fans, fathers, mothers, and children all there supporting Milan is truly moving. This passion is hard to explain, but it's simply amazing."
Do you like the new San Siro stadium that will be built in the future?
"The world is moving forward, and football is evolving: it's right for Milan to have a new stadium, and I really like the plans that have been announced. It's very important to build facilities that better meet the needs of the fans and the club. San Siro has made history, but I believe the new stadium will also live up to this legacy."