- What do you think will be the Champions League final?
- I can say for sure that for “Milan” it will be a completely different game than the confrontation with “Manchester United”. Liverpool never plays spectacular, open, attacking football. This team is very athletic, it closes tightly on the defensive and at the first opportunity, mainly through Gerrard, lightning fast counterattackes. It requires iron nerves.
- What will determine the outcome of the final confrontation?
- I look forward to an interesting duel in the middle of the field between Mascherano and Gattuso. AC Milan has technical superiority and also has two unique footballers at its disposal: Kaka and Seedorf, the latter of whom, surprisingly, completely imperceptibly, balances the game of all the lines of the team. In addition, the Dutchman is incredibly able to hide the ball, give an accurate pass. These two together today and combine the concept of "Champions League."
- What is the best football player in the world?
- He is the best football player in the world with Ronaldinho. I think it is he who will give the Champions League to Milan this year. What I would primarily compare with Cruyff: he drags the ball forward at great speed, always sees the goal in front of him. Not a single player in the world can start like that with a ball from the center of the field.
“Does it surprise you?”
- No one expected Kaka to make such progress in Italy, although it was clear to everyone that the guy would be a good judge. When he is in perfect athletic shape, Milan is invincible.
“Is he better than Cristiano Ronaldo?”
- Ronaldo is only on the way to becoming the best football player, but this path is still long. He is not Garrinch, who was much slower, but his dribbling was much more effective. I would put him in the second row with Messi and Rooney.
“Ronaldinho is out of shape right now.”
- Yes, he does not show such a brilliant game now, as it was in recent seasons. Partly to blame for this is Barcelona itself, and partly Ronaldinho’s personal disappointments from the lost World Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and defeats in the Champions League. But I do not think that because of this he will definitely leave Barcelona. After me in Brazil a whole galaxy of outstanding football masters appeared: Zico, Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka.
- Ronaldo?
- When he begins to play, like Ronaldo, at least now take him back to the national team. I did not think that he would nevertheless leave Real Madrid, but Milan did very well by inviting Ronaldo to him. He scores again, plays well and perhaps next season Milan will have at his disposal yet another “deadly weapon”. Then you can dream of returning to the national team.
- How do you like the updated Brazilian team?
- Dunga works very well. It's time to pick the fruits. In the America's Cup, he will not be missed in the team of Kaka and Ronaldinho. His problem is not the lack of simulated schemes, but the ability, playing all the time in three forwards, to close free zones on the field in games with well-balanced teams.
- What innovations will Brazil show us in the attack?
- All our best forwards are playing in Europe now, even Adriano, who is notable for enviable inconstancy. If you expose Marcos Aurelio from "Santos", 84 years of birth, which is very reminiscent of his game and a small stature of Romario, then Dunga can open a new star to the Muira. Then I would call Sobis, who has recently played for Betis.
- In the middle of the field?
- The number one of our national team in midfield, despite his 32 years, is Ze Roberto. In “Santos”, he plays at position “10”, but he superbly manages his partners from the center of the field when playing three midfielders. It seems that he is no more than 25 years old. And it attacks and defends very high quality (Milan has already paid attention to this).
“What I would first compare with Cruyff: he drags the ball forward at great speed, always sees the goal in front of him”
- Whom do you note in defense?
- I would note the defenders in Europe: Lucio, Juan, Luizao and Alex.
- After Germany 2006, the Italian team is going through hard times.
- It is very difficult to replace such a coach as Lippi. But Donadoni, as a player, always had a class and an attacking spirit. Italy will definitely fall into the European Championship.
“With or without Totti?”
- Totti is such a player and a man that after winning the World Cup and changing the coach in the Italian team, some disagreements between the player and the new mentor must have occurred. Donadoni would be nice to talk to the player for about five minutes and all problems would have to go away. Italy cannot afford to do without Totti. If he were in Germany in the same form as now, Italy would have won the victory much easier.
- Totti seems to have decided to take a break this season.
- And I had such a period in my career when I said to myself “enough”. I could play at the World Championship in 1974, but my cycle was already over then. I think that Totti will still play for the national team.
- Continuing the theme of great football players - how can you help Maradona?
“I have some good news about his health.” I continue to pray for Diego and with all my heart I wish him many more years of life together with my loved ones. Last year, I was lucky enough to be on his television program in Argentina. I will always, at any moment be at his disposal and ready to come to his aid.
- Is it right that scudetto in the year of the football scandal in Italy goes to Inter?
- Of course. And all these fines and disqualifications do not matter. This victory was rightfully earned by Massimo Moratti, taking command of great players, from Vieira to Ibrahimovic. Probably, after you unexpectedly get a victory in the offices, most of all you want to win again, but already on the football field.
- Do you like Ibrahimovic?
- He is very technical and creative, which is very similar to the Brazilian players. And he was very lucky that he immediately joined the new team almost perfectly.
- But what did the football scandal this season mean for Italy?
- The hardest blow to the image, and with a possible continuation in the future. I even expect in the near future, after the completion of the investigation, more new indicative sanctions. Because in football often there were various scandals in Brazil, and in Germany, and in Poland, but in this case, for the first time, so many clubs were drawn into this story.
- And this fact influenced the choice of the country for Euro 2012?
- I will not hide that such a choice surprised me very much. But UEFA and FIFA want to open more and more new borders. Suffice it to recall the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. So decided the football government. It is very difficult to understand such decisions for those who have won the World Cup four times. Perhaps those who made such decisions were embarrassed by the latest scandals with the manifestation of cruelty in football stadiums. Perhaps sports officials need to do more political work.
- What do you think about the new president of the Italian Football Federation Giancarlo Abete?
- He is waiting for a very hard work, I wish him good luck. Italy must regain the confidence of the entire football world. And this is not the problem of old or new officials. They just have to be competent and not involved in dirty stories.
- However, Italy is the world champion, and Milan will play in the Champions League final.
- Given his progress in the games against Bayern and Manchester, Milan is a logical favorite. What an intrigue! Berlusconi's team has a unique opportunity to avenge Istanbul.
Translation by George BYCHKOV