Huntelaar wants to score against Inter

A young David Bowie

Huntelaar

A suspension kept Klaas Jan Huntelaar at home when AC Milan won their match against Siena. His consolation: he’ll now make his debut against Inter, coming Saturday, AC Milan’s biggest rival.

Huntelaar watched the game at home behind the computer. The season starting game for Milan was not aired on tv. Coming weekend, Hunter has got his work cut out for him. “It would be fab if I scored against Inter!”.

The former Ajax striker, compared to a young David Bowie in Italy, was suspended due to his red card in the last game for Real Madrid. That suspension carried over.

Last Sunday, Huntelaar gave a masterclass in Amsterdam. Not San Siro, but SV Bijlmer. Amsterdam based amateur clubs were coached by professionals, the so-called Nike Bootcamp. Huntelaar was brought in to teach them how to play in the striker role.

The Oranje striker took it seriously. With a piece of paper in hand, he instructed a young DWS-striker. And after the training session, he took some free kicks, most of them on target. Should his Italian adventure fail, a trainer’s career could be the logical next step.

His life is hectic at the moment. Transfer issues, a newly born son, moving house from Spain to Italy. “All in a day’s work for a football player,” Hunter jokes.

But he’s already in love with Milanello, AC Milan’s renowned trainings complex. “The peace and quiet there is great. It’s smack in the middle of a forest. With Madrid, we trained next to a highway. The attention for Milan is comparable to the hectic of Madrid.”

Huntelaar doesn’t want to know about the prejudice about the Italian competition. It’s tough, negative and boring, people say. “I think the Seria A opened up a lot lately. It’s different than Spain, and different than Holland, but that’s ok.”

Hunter has been thoroughly tested in the mysterious Milan Lab. “I tested positive in all physical tests. I kinda dig that, that Milan Lab. I’ve always been keen to learn more about those developments. The medical staff here is extremely professional. After every activity they test your blood.”

He looks back on his time in Madrid: “I don’t regret the step from Ajax to Real. I’ve done what I could, and I scored goals, but too much has happened. The coach left, the chairman left, the technical director went after…. You’re simply a pawn in their political game. I don’t think I need to go because I’m not good enough… I received many positive reactions from fans and all that. I am in contact with the other Dutchies there and it’s just a horrible situation. One that we feel we’re not responsible for, so I can fully understand their position.”

Fame and reputation are being gained in big matches. This Saturday, Hunter plays Inter. He “has something” with Inter, he says. “I scored my first European goal ever against Inter with Ajax. That felt good. I want to do it again. How’s that for a debut?”.