interview with Marca, maybe not the best translation but it will serve
Q: Being 34 years old, you are still fighting on top level, what is your secret..what is your secret with your "eternal youth (lol)"?
R: I don't smoke, don't drink and every day day i train with commitment, passion and happines.
Q: You don't get tired ? You started when you were 16 years old, what you need to do for not to loose motivation after almost 20 years at maxmimum level ?
R: Mentally i'm fine. For me , playing is always a great joy. The most important thing is not to live with too much stress which exists around football in excessive rate.
Every year i set new objectives, on personal level and for team which i want to achieve. Also, playing in such great team as Milan there is no time to look backwards. You always need to show that you are among the best and that you deserve to be there. It's true that years are passing by but i'm keeping the passion.
Q: It's been a long time since you played for Madrid but i assume that it's always special moment for you to come back to Bernabeu.
R: I remember all period while playing for Real Madrid like it was yesterday. I have some much love for Madrid, madridistas and of course for all spaniards because everywhere i go they treat me great. Everytime i come back to Madrid, i feel like at home and that will not change.
Q: Wining 7th CL was your best memory while being madridista?
R: It was something unique. Celeberation was amazing. First came league title but it was only preparation for things that came after that. [smiling]
Q: Are you still in contact with your ex teammates?
R: Only Casillas left from the group when i was there. With rest, when we see each other, we share memories and we get along really good. On tuesday i will have chance to see Karanka and it will be a pleasure for me.
Q: One of them was Raul, were you surprised when he left for Schalke?
R: Yes, i was surprised because physicaly still was good and he is part of the Madrid's history but he has his own reasons. Thing with Guti was other surprise.
Q: How do you see new Real Madrid of Mourinho?
R: He is coach who instantly show which is his working method. You already can notice his work there, at least from matches that i saw. Everywhere he goes, he triumphs. Madrid is always Madrid, having coach they have but signing Mourinho guarantee you quality.
Q: Real Madrid did Milan a favour buy taking Mourinho? Inter is much vulnerable without him?
R:No, because Benitez is also great coach. Of course some things have changed but it's the some group that won all last season. Inter is still strong.
Q: Madrid is much stronger with Mourinho at the bench ?
R: Yes. Without organization you go nowhere, although Madrid always was and always will be great team, one of the best in Europe.
Q: You had the chance to meet him off the pitch?
R: Yes, i need to say that, what can be seen at the pitch is person who is grabbing attention but i like the person off the pitch.
Q: What are the things that you learned about him while having him as rival for two seasons ?
R: That his team is specific and organized.
Q: In Spain, his declarations are provoking a lot of disturbance, i assume you are not surprised about that ?
R: Well, it was the same thing in Italy. He is the guy with huge personallity and likes to provoke from time to time. He likes to talk too much but it's his way to protect the team. In the end, in all clubs that he coached he was succesfull so that strategy is functioning.
Q: Cristiano, Higuain, Ozil, Di Madria, Xabi Alonso against Ibra, Robinho, Pato, Ronladinho, Seedorf. Great spectacle?
R: Yes, two teams with great players who will make fans to enjoy the game. I hope both teams go further because they are the strongest in the group. Although Ajax have special place in my heart i don't believe they have quality to pass the group but in the end players do their talk at the pitch and no one will gift you anything but i still believe that Madrid and Milan are those who will pass the group.
Q: I want to know your opinion about enternal debate in Spain, who is better..Cristiano or Messi ?
R: I think that Messi is tad better but i think that it's due to team. Barcelona did great things in recent years and Messi had chacne to shine but Cristiano is also a great players and is playing at high leavel since he signed for Madrid.
Q: Do you see Robinho, specially motivated for Madrid visit ?
R: We didn't have the chance to talk about the game, because internationals left with their teams and now we are preparing for game in italian championship which for us is very important to be hight at the table. Until sunday we will not talk about Madrid. I know whole world is thinking about that game at Bernabeu but now we need to be concentrated for Chievo game.
Q: Will it be hard to repeat result from last year at Bernabeu ?
R: Of course, it's always difficult to travel to Madrid and try to win but we are Milan and we always think about win everywhere we go. Game next week will be football classico and i hope it will be huge spectacle.
Q: Do you see Madrid as favourite for wining Champions leageu ?
R: Yes, they are among three main favourites.
Q: You are the king of Champions league. You won them four with three different teams. Since you debuted didn't pass more than four years since you won it. Last one was in 2007, so this one maybe you can also win it ?
R: [smilimg] Who knows. Would be a dream but before that we will need to win very difficult games. We have great team but like Madrid, we are in construction with new coach and some new players. You don't know what can happen during the season but if everything goes well like we hope so, then it we can fight for the titles.
Q: Your teams is reinforced really well with signing Ibrahimovc and Robinho ?
R: Ibra and Robi were two great signings in final days of market who will help us to in this season. Their arrival gives us extra quality which is very important for the team.
Q: You need to thank to Guardiola for 'gift' you Ibrahimovic. I understand that Barcelona got rid of him in bad way ?
R: No, no. Barcelona thought that best thing for both sides would be Ibrahimovic leaving the club and now he is at Milan. He wanted to come to Milan and Barcelona allowed him to do that. It's not easy to solve that kind of move with the players of such quality as Ibra in just few days. I think that in the final, this solution was very good.
Q: Can you please make an analysis of current Milan ?
R; We are fine and we are going to Bernabeu with intention to win and to keep our moral high which is always important in upcoming games.
Q: Talk me about Kaka. Madrid fans are concerned about his injury and poor performances, what you think ?
R: Knowing that Madrid fans are demanding, that is not problem because here they are also demanding. Kaka only needs to be fine physicaly. After that there will be no doubta about quality which he possess. You need to have some pacience with him so that he can recover and can show how much is he worth. He is a great person and knowing the Madrid fans i'm sure that they will show he love and support which he needs so that he can come back and be the player we all knew once.
Q: Did you manage to talk with him in last months?
R: He is worried about his physical state, but he is recovering himself fine so that he can come back at 100%. I don't see any problem for him to triumpph with Madrid. Patience.
Q: There was also some talk about him coming back to Milan. I imagine that he would be received really well ?
R: Here, every player is received with open arms, but i don't believe that Kaka will come back. He did history with Milan and now has will to do that with Madrid. It's the first time that he changed team in Europe and i don't know is going through his head but i know that he wants to recover so that he can show how much he is worth.
Q: Which player would you eliminate for the game against Milan?
R: Noone [smiling]. Fans deserve to see best players at the pirch and best possible spectacle from two great teams.
Q: Madrid was interested in signing your teammate Tiago Silva because they say he will be one of the best central defenders in the world. Do you belive that ?
R: Because of that Milan will not sell him. After Maldini left, club needed someone important to be important in future and this person is Thiago. He is the player of the highest level.
Q: Which result would satisfy you on Tuesday ?
R: I don't have an idea, i'm not really good in giving prognosis. I only want enjoy myself and that fans can enjoy too.
SENATORE
