Italy and AC Milan forward El Shaarawy has heaped praise on Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic following their 1-1 draw at San Siro on Sunday. The Italian giants faced each other in all important Derby della Madonnina as Champions league qualification for next season was on stake along with the usual cross town rivalry.
The match started with the traditional banners on either half of the stadium with both sets of fans displaying massive banners portraying their traditions. On the pitch, the players din’t disappoint as well as the game were played in a frantic pace throughout the 90 minutes.
It was El Shaarawy who opened the deadlock as his shot fired passed Handanovic to give Milan a 1-0 advantage at the end of the first half. Milan kept creating chances but couldn’t score the decisive second goal thanks to a string of saves by Handanovic and Balotelli’s squandered chances of scoring.
Nerazzurri finally equalized through substitute Ezequiel Schelotto with just over 20 minutes to go. The match ended 1-1 as both the sides failed to score the deciding goal.
Talking about the game, El Shaarawy pointed out Inter’s keeper for his impressive display on Sunday.
“In the first half we created a lot but Handanovic played a fantastic game and made some really great saves,” El Shaarawy told the Milan website. The result was a bit disappointing as we deserved to win based on how we played.”
“It was a great ball from (Kevin-)Prince (Boateng) that set me up. I’m happy with the goal as scoring in a derby is a really unique experience,” he said.”I will watch the goal again and again, it was a moment of great satisfaction.”
The youngster also talked about his sore knee from Sunday’s game, but insisted that he will be able to continue.
“My knee is a bit sore but I’m sure we’ll be able to take care of that,” he said.
In other news, Massimo Ambrosini’s agent revealed that the midfielder is in no rush to talk about his contract situation. Ambrosini, 36, will be out of contract at the end of the current campaign and wants to stay in Italy only if Milan agreed to extend his contract.
The desire of the player is to wait for Milan to make a decision,” Moreno Roggi told TMW. “That’s what has happened in the last few years.
“A move abroad? There are some possibilities, but nothing concrete. Everything is at a standstill right now, but the MLS is a championship which Massimo is curious about.”
Massimo Ambrosini has been severing the Rossoneri since he moved from Cesena back in 1995.