It's fair to say that Emerson has a vested interest in Saturday's Coppa Italia final between Juventus and AC Milan in Rome. The former Brazil international spent four years plying his trade at the Stadio Olimpico with Roma before joining the Bianconeri. He later enjoyed a two-season stint at San Siro before returning to his native Brazil in 2009 to finish his top-flight career at Santos.
As a result, he will be a fascinated observer when Massimiliano Allegri's men attempt to pull off a second successive domestic double, with Juve having already clinched a fifth successive Scudetto. The retired midfielder acknowledges anything could happen on the night but he does not believe that struggling Milan, who limped home in seventh place in Serie A, have the necessary spirit or unity to spring a surprise...
Goal: What do you make of the two sides going into the Coppa Italia final?
Emerson: "They are two teams that have been travelling on very different paths this season. Juventus deservedly won the league with incredible numbers and records. Milan have fallen short of expectations. The way they've played so far has been disheartening, betraying the hopes that they had last summer. The season has been a failure but the final offers them a chance to salvage it, provided they win the trophy of course."
Goal: Juventus are the clear favourites but strange things happen in finals...
Emerson: "In a one-off final, anything really can happen. However, we have to acknowledge the overwhelming superiority of this Juventus side and Milan's worrying form. From what we're hearing in Brazil, the Milan environment is like a powder keg and the rumoured changed of ownership may have exacerbated the sense of unease.
Obviously, Juve will not have an easy game. Milan won't roll out the red carpet for them in Rome. Still, they will have to transform themselves; otherwise, Juve are destined to lift the cup. Allegri's side rarely fail to live up to expectations. Do not underestimate their focus, given the hunger and concentration this current Bianconeri squad has at the moment. This year we have again seen how strong Juve are, also in Europe, where in spite of their elimination in Germany, they did well."
Goal: You played for both sides - what are your memories of those days?
Emerson: "Juventus is a solid club, incredibly strong with a very precise DNA. There, you learn right from the very first day the meaning of the word 'victory'. Every training session teaches you about hunger, desire and never giving up. Milan is a really great club of historic traditions and so many famous triumphs but I was more impressed by the environment in Turin. After so many years of being led by Silvio Berlusconi, the Milan of today look set to change ownership. It's a curious and strange situation because if you say the word 'Milan', you always associate it with Berlusconi."
Goal: Which individuals could decide this game?
Emerson: "Paul Pogba is an exceptional player, complete, with the kind of physical attributes that few others possess. In addition, he's also grown technically in recent years and has reached a very high level. He could be the match winner, although Juventus have a many players who can decide a game. For example, I'm thinking of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic. However, I feel that the true strength of this Juve side is the collective power of the team. As for Milan, given Luiz Adriano's underwhelming season, I think that Carlos Bacca can create serious problems for Buffon and his back-line."
Goal: What have you been doing since hanging up your boots?
Emerson: "I opened a football school here in Brazil in 2011 and we guide young buys from a young age until they're 17. We're putting them on an important path and we work professionally in compliance with all of the laws, even if sometimes it's not easy and complications arise. We want to discover champions to gift to the world of football and we have a direct relationship with Roma."
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- Goal