When Savo Milosevic first arrived at Parma, in his two-door Bordeaux-coloured Mercedes 500, he didn’t inspire the confidence of a great signing. Parking a little way from the entrance to the training ground, reporters observed the striker.

With his head down he passed a little slowly giving the impression of a sulky person, one who would talk little, introverted and gloomy. Journalists joked that it didn’t seem like a brilliant idea to talk to him. Then as he came closer he smiled in a way that made an instant impression.

He still doesn’t speak great Italian but the Press officer at Parma, Giorgio Bottaro, knows Milosevic’s mother tongue, courtesy of his own mum. Between them there is a good understanding, even if it is still difficult for journalists to speak to Savo. He is a serious person and educated, married to the beautiful model, Vesna Bovan, and now has two children, Nicola, four, and young Isidora.

After beginning his career with a flurry of goals at Partizan Belgrade, Milosevic moved to Aston Villa. His three years in Birmingham were an important education even if the Yugoslav struggled in English football. A successful spell in Spain and five goals at Euro 2000 convinced Parma to add Milosevic to their squad in the summer for a fee of £15m. Only since the turn of the year and the arrival of Renzo Ulivieri, has the 27-year-old enjoyed a consistent run in the side.

Q: Savo, how do you assess your life in Italy so far?
A: Perhaps it’s a little soon to analyse. I am moderately satisfied, things are starting to go well. There are still a few weeks until the end of the season and I want to finish it well.

Q: At the beginning you suffered with your fitness. Was this a problem?
A: If a striker scores nobody discusses whether he is physically fit or not. In the first months of the season I didn’t score but I helped the team. Nobody can score all of the time. At Parma, there are other players who have qualities in the box and this is important.

Q: What are the main differences between Spanish and Italian football?
A: To be honest I haven’t noticed that many differences. Here in Italy defenders give you little time on the ball but the situation is different from four to five years ago. The rules of football have changed. Defenders cannot challenge like they used to. A foul from behind or on the last man is now punished.

Q: I have noticed that you like to play outside the box and help the team. We expected a Milosevic who would not leave the penalty box.
A: You cannot always play in the penalty area and wait for the right pass. I look to win the ball from outside the box and help my teammates. I am not just here to score. It’s true that I must also battle inside the area, but not always.

Q: What does Savo Milosevic think of himself? Are you a complete striker?
A: Complete, no. I’m no phenomenon. I am good in the air, posses a decent left foot, but my right needs improving.

Q: With three Coaches in six months it can’t have been easy.
A: That’s true, to change that often is a problem for the team.

Q: How have you seen these changes?
A: From a personal point of view it hasn’t affected me because I have had a good rapport with all three.

Q: They called you the heir to Hernan Crespo. Did this comparison bother you?
A: It’s normal for the fans and Press to adopt this attitude. However, I look at things only from my point of view. I know Hernan scored 25 goals last season in his fourth year here and now people expect that from me. But how many goals did Crespo score in his first year?

Q: Twelve, but at the moment you only have seven.
A: So if I score 13, I can say I scored more. But I have been injured and have played just 14 this season.

Q: Why did you choose Parma?
A: Because after Euro 2000, teams like Real Madrid and Roma didn’t make any concrete bids whereas with Parma the deal was concluded in three days. They really wanted me and that’s why I was convinced.

Q: With regard to your time in England, it wasn’t the best.
A: I am a Mediterranean man, something mental which you cannot completely change. I tried, never more so, but it was not enough to integrate. It’s a different world, it was hard to acclimatise. The people, the climate and the food were all different.

Q: Was it all negative in England?
A: Absolutely not. I was there for three years and I played 120 times, 90 in the League. For a young man of 21, it was important to play and where else would you play that many games at that age? The Premiership is a League of value. I scored only 28 times in three years but I got a great deal of experience.

Q: Three years ago, they talked about a possible move to Napoli, when they were bottom of the League. You said: "It’s better to be in Birmingham than last in Italy." Is that true?
A: False. The deal with Napoli never existed. There may have been talk but nothing concrete.

Q: How did the war in Yugoslavia affect your career?
A: In certain moments a great deal. I had family there and you can’t not think about it. It was crazy.

Q: Are things better now?
A: My mother died a year and a half ago, the others now live in Bosnia where things are better.

Q: What do you wish for at the moment?
A: First of all, the best for all of my family. Football comes second.

DOMINIQUE ANTOGNONI