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.
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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Come on you boys in blue!
Up da dubs.
Jesus, looks like just saying you support the Dubs is enough to get you red thumbed. Anyway, everyone hates us but we don’t care. COYBIB!!
CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
Come on Kerry. Anyone But Dublin
Fantastic display from the Dubs,welcome home Sam!
Come on the dubs!!!
Come on you boys, come on you boys in blue!!!
Who are the 4 muppets on RTE 2 arguing over nothing?
I know!! Everybody wants to see the best play in a final and a Kerry v Dublin is like The Spanish El Clasico!!!
Did they lube the pitch up with baby oil before this match? Shlippin’ and shlidin’ all over the place
Come on Dublin.
Tis a slipping and sliding match.
When I seen the photograph of the woman and baby accompanying this article I thought it was going to be another migrant/refugee story!
It’s a refugee free day!! Beer and maybe a leg over later if Dublin win!!
I’m off the drink but I’ll take you up on the offer of the leg over.
Might be some consolation after the hiding Tipperary got in the minor game
worst allireland final in my living memory. Very very poor.
Puke.
The boys on RTE just after mentioning how both teams have played limited division 1 opposition,to put that into perspective Donegal who were knocked out of the championship in the Q/F have played more Div 1 teams than both Kerry and Dublin combined.
They won’t get any all-stars either despite the lop-sided draw they came through. Perhaps Durcan – had a terrific year.
It’s a very unfair system. Ulster teams get a raw deal there’s no disputing that
Best team won in the end.
Dublin have the better squad, Kerry have the better management. Kerry by 2.
Jack Kerry are not that strong !!!
…Stick to the day job Michael
Na I work nights
Looking like the Dubs having the better on the sideline as well so far, cooper bring dragged up and down the field and o Sullivan getting in on the scoring Gooch too far out from the goals
Wouldn’t completely agree, Kerry’s shooting has been absolutely woeful. When playing Dublin you have to take your chances. 8 wides(?) in 35 minutes is inexcusable in an AIF,
Congrats Dublin, the better side on the day
They should get rid of them clowns up in the studio and stick O’se and Whelao up there.
Come on utd
Carney already has O’Donoghue as his man of the match..
Never understood why they call it football. It should be called handball.
Because the foot kicks the ball? Derp!
Because it’s played on foot! The same reason Association Football is called football, American football is called football and rugby is called rugby football. The more you know *spreads hands in star motion*
Good game so far considering the conditions.
A.B.D
Deserved victory for Dublin, adapted to the conditions better and were unquestionably the better team on the day..faif pay to them..poor quality final..poor championsip.. (from the perspective of a neutral)
Well done best team won in the end to be honest it should hav been a bigger margin and they really should have three in a row by now by far the best team over the last three to four years.
Well done boys!! Up the Dubs!!
Martin carney is getting worried that Dublin might actually win
Dublin being a bit wasteful early on when they’re in shooting distance of a goal
Looks like donaghy is togged to start?????. Let the games begin
Get Paul Flynn off the pitch and this game would be put to bed.
I must have been at a different match . Paul Flynn was my man of the match