TEMPTING AS IT is to sit cross-legged in a cafe drinking a double espresso while reading La Gazzetta dello Sport and intermittently saying “Meelan” to nobody in particular in the style of James Richardson, the fact is that this weekend sees those seats very hard to come by.
That’s because old jug ears — the Champions League trophy to the rest of you — is in town and so are the Spanish in their tens of thousands.
Indeed, if one were so inclined, now might be the weekend for Catalans to march on Madrid to achieve independence because there can hardly be a soul left in the Spanish capital.
It wouldn’t be fair to say there’s an even split between Real and Atletico fans, for every two of the latter there’s probably three of the former but Los Colchoneros are definitely the nosier of the pair.
One man very familiar with both Milan and Madrid — not to mention lifting Champions League trophies — is Clarence Seedorf and the four time winner of the tournament says that the derby aspect of tonight’s game just makes it all the more special.
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Clarence Seedorf spent three years at Real Madrid where he won the 1998 Champions League - one of the four occasions he tasted success in the tournament. Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport
Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
“It’s not the same. It’s definitely different, like Tottenham versus Chelsea — I was there for the last time they played which is why I say that — but it’s different.
“Nobody puts more pressure on us than we do ourselves as players but it’s a Champions League final and everybody knows that.”
With his country not in Euro 2016, Seedorf admits he has paid very little attention to the tournament and probably won’t until the quarter-final stages so is not in a position to suggest how Ireland might do.
However, according to the former Dutch star, for the players taking to the field in the San Siro this evening, even those on the winning side, the result will have an impact on how they perform at this summer’s Championships.
“It tough. For the players that win, great, for the ones that lose, it’s mentally difficult. Even if you win though, it can be hard because you have to get yourself balanced again in time for the Euros.
“For the fans though, it’s very exciting because you go from one final to a month of football.”
Seedorf was speaking in his role as Nissan ambassador for the 2016 Champions League.
While the cliché is that great managers often don’t make great or even good coaches, tonight’s pairing of Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone might just be the exception to the rule and Seedorf believes one or both will have a significant impact on the result.
“Of course a manager can make a difference,” he says.
Sometimes it’s technical, sometimes it’s physiological. I can tell you there have been many moments in my career when the teams I’ve been playing with needed words from the manager, challenging words.
“And while it can be difficult to get that message across when the game is going on, they can influence the game at substitutions, or moments during the game when there’s an injury or at half-time.
“But Diego Simeone is the type of coach who is very physical so probably players can read certain things from that during the game but other coaches are not like that.”
As for tonight’s game, considering he once lifted club football’s most prestigious prize with Los Merengues, it should come as no surprise as to which side he expects to come out on top.
“I want the best team to win, but of course I’m going to lean more towards Real Madrid because I played for them.”
Clarence Seedorf was speaking in his role as a Nissan ambassador for the Champions League final. To watch 360 degree live reaction from both sets of fans in tonight’s game check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyQm_8nH8gU
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Madrid invades Milan but Seedorf expects the coaches to have the biggest impact tonight
Steve O’Rourke reports from Milan.
TEMPTING AS IT is to sit cross-legged in a cafe drinking a double espresso while reading La Gazzetta dello Sport and intermittently saying “Meelan” to nobody in particular in the style of James Richardson, the fact is that this weekend sees those seats very hard to come by.
That’s because old jug ears — the Champions League trophy to the rest of you — is in town and so are the Spanish in their tens of thousands.
Indeed, if one were so inclined, now might be the weekend for Catalans to march on Madrid to achieve independence because there can hardly be a soul left in the Spanish capital.
It wouldn’t be fair to say there’s an even split between Real and Atletico fans, for every two of the latter there’s probably three of the former but Los Colchoneros are definitely the nosier of the pair.
One man very familiar with both Milan and Madrid — not to mention lifting Champions League trophies — is Clarence Seedorf and the four time winner of the tournament says that the derby aspect of tonight’s game just makes it all the more special.
“It’s not the same. It’s definitely different, like Tottenham versus Chelsea — I was there for the last time they played which is why I say that — but it’s different.
“Nobody puts more pressure on us than we do ourselves as players but it’s a Champions League final and everybody knows that.”
With his country not in Euro 2016, Seedorf admits he has paid very little attention to the tournament and probably won’t until the quarter-final stages so is not in a position to suggest how Ireland might do.
However, according to the former Dutch star, for the players taking to the field in the San Siro this evening, even those on the winning side, the result will have an impact on how they perform at this summer’s Championships.
“It tough. For the players that win, great, for the ones that lose, it’s mentally difficult. Even if you win though, it can be hard because you have to get yourself balanced again in time for the Euros.
“For the fans though, it’s very exciting because you go from one final to a month of football.”
While the cliché is that great managers often don’t make great or even good coaches, tonight’s pairing of Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone might just be the exception to the rule and Seedorf believes one or both will have a significant impact on the result.
“Of course a manager can make a difference,” he says.
“And while it can be difficult to get that message across when the game is going on, they can influence the game at substitutions, or moments during the game when there’s an injury or at half-time.
“But Diego Simeone is the type of coach who is very physical so probably players can read certain things from that during the game but other coaches are not like that.”
As for tonight’s game, considering he once lifted club football’s most prestigious prize with Los Merengues, it should come as no surprise as to which side he expects to come out on top.
“I want the best team to win, but of course I’m going to lean more towards Real Madrid because I played for them.”
Clarence Seedorf was speaking in his role as a Nissan ambassador for the Champions League final. To watch 360 degree live reaction from both sets of fans in tonight’s game check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyQm_8nH8gU
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
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Champions League diego simeone Meelan Real Madrid Atlético Madrid Zinedine Zidane