Nicolò Tresoldi admits scoring a hat-trick for Club Brugge to beat Inter at San Siro is ‘incredible, indescribable,’ but it won’t affect his choice between Italy and Germany. ‘I spoke to both.’
Only one player had previously been able to score a hat-trick against Inter in the Champions League here and that was Gareth Bale for Tottenham Hotspur.
It was an extra special night for Tresoldi, who was born in Italy and moved to Germany as a child with his family, because he is a lifelong supporter of the Nerazzurri’s bitter rivals Milan.
The 22-year-old arrived at the post-match interview with the match ball tucked under his arm and a huge grin on his face.
Tresoldi perfect night at San Siro
“I’m almost more anxious now than I was before kick-off,” smiled Tresoldi, who speaks perfect Italian, on Sky Sport Italia.
“It was incredible, indescribable, I had dreamed so many times of a night like this, but to score three goals and win here at San Siro is beyond words. All my family and friends were in the stands too, it’s just fantastic.”
Tresoldi had scored six goals in eight games so far this season, including one in the Champions League, and added three in one go tonight.
“I did receive many messages from Milan fans before the game, they were telling me to score and win. I am happy first of all for Club Brugge to have won, for all of Belgian football, but I will admit it was a bit of a derby for me. It’s a lot!”
Tresoldi has played for Germany through all the youth levels, but has not yet decided whether he will represent Italy for senior international football.
After this performance, he may well not be allowed out of the country.
“That is another big thing, some things have been said that are not true. I am happy with what I’m doing in Germany, and then we’ll see. There are many strikers who are much better than me in Germany and Italy, perhaps after today I feel a little more confident about my own abilities,” he smiled.
“I spoke to Klopp, Mancini, the federations of both countries, they understood how I see things. I always speak Italian at home, I was born in Italy too. We’ll see. I am enjoying myself with the Germany Under-21 side, we have a European Championship to play, it’s a trophy my Dad won with Italy, so it’s a target for me. Then we’ll see what happens.”
How did Club Brugge prepare for this trip to San Siro?
“We knew Inter are the best team in Italy and one of the best in the world. We wanted to press them high, because they like getting through low blocks, and we wanted to make the most of any errors, be clinical in front of goal. I think we had plenty of possession too, we are a young side, the coach told us not to be afraid, to play one on one, and make the most of any errors they made.”
The pace they showed was particularly damaging to Inter defenders, above all with Carlos Forbs, who had been in doubt through injury.
“We are quick and young, but also made the most of our opportunities and had a bit of luck when they hit the crossbar. You could tell we were enjoying ourselves, and in the second half we really stepped up a level. The fourth goal was a pass from midfield and none of the Inter defenders chasing him down, you could tell we were in better physical shape than Inter.
“It was the perfect night.”