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In an exclusive interview with Goal, the former Blancos goalkeeper discusses his old club's chances of winning the Champions League and looks back on his time at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid may be favourites going into their Champions League semi-final withManchester City but Albano Bizzarri is warning his old side against underestimating the threat posed by the English side.
Los Blancos are in fine form under new coach Zinedine Zidane, having won their last nine games in La Liga to draw to within one point of leaders Barcelona.
They also overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Wolfsburg to set up a mouth-watering last-four showdown with City, who have made the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
However, while Madrid have the greater European pedigree, Bizzarri, who spent one eventful season at the Santiago Bernabeu in 1999-2000, says that they should not take anything for granted against City.
Goal: It's often forgotten that you won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000.
Bizzarri: "Well, let's say that I was part of the squad that won it! Sometimes you need to be lucky in football and find yourself in the right place at the right time; that's certainly what happened with me. To think that Ronaldo never won the Champions League and I did, it's a strange thing! But I played very little that year. I began as a starter but then I wasted my chance and rightfully lost my place in the team. Football is like this but anyway, it was an experience that I remember with pleasure and it helped me.
Goal: You lost your place to an 18-year-old Iker Casillas. Even at that age, were his qualities immediately obvious?
Bizzarri: "Well, certainly you could see he was not a 'normal' keeper. He had everything at such a young age to have a great career. But it's difficult to predict how good when someone is only 18 because the mentality always makes the difference. But I must say that right away I felt he was a very serious guy with a great attitude and a desire to improve."
Goal: Were you surprised by the way in which he parted company with Real?
Bizzarri: "A bit, yeah, because I thought that he would finish his career at Real. But experience has taught me that nothing lasts forever. Opinions change very quickly, so what is true today is not worth anything tomorrow. Still, he had a great career with Madrid, winning many titles and he remains in the hearts of the fans."
Goal: Does Gianluigi Donnarumma remind you of Casillas, given the way in which he's broken into the Milan team as a teenager?
Bizzarri: "He's made a great impression on me. What's really amazed me is his calmness and the way in which he's handled everything without any fear. He has extraordinary athletic ability. He's only 17 and, therefore, can still improve a lot. In my opinion, kids like this are only born once every 50 years. We're talking about a very unique talent."
Goal: So, it wouldn't be too much to compare him to Gianluigi Buffon?
Bizzarri: "Making comparisons is always uncomfortable, particularly in this instance because Buffon is among the best ever. But I have to be honest, Donnarumma has really impressed me with his serenity and the personality he has demonstrated on the field. He certainly has a great career ahead of him."
Goal: Staying on the subject of goalkeepers, what are your thoughts on Keylor Navas?
Bizzarri: "I believe that his story should be used as an example of the beauty of football. He did not have the confidence of those around him but he worked hard, he never gave up and he convinced everyone of his worth. Now, nobody doubts him and he's reached an exceptional level. I would include him in my five best goalkeepers in the world.
Goal: And who would the other four be?
Bizzarri: "No, come on! If I do that, I'd risk forgetting someone and look bad. But I can tell you that in first place, it would either be Buffon or Neuer, who are definitely the best two keepers in the world today. But don't make me choose! It's impossible!
Goal: Going back to Real Madrid, they play Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday...
Bizzarri: "It will not be easy. The quarter-finals have already shown that nothing can be taken for granted in this competition. It's clear that Real are favourites because they are more used to playing these kind of games and in these cases, experience counts. But City have shown that they have great quality. Watch out for away goals because at this point in the tournament, they often make the difference."
Goal: Many are comparing this Madrid to your team, given that they didn't perform well in La Liga but still won the Champions League.
Bizzarri: "I don't think they are comparable, as our situation was far messier. We came fifth in La Liga, which I don't think had ever happened in the club's history! Sure, we won the Champions League, but, for me, we were far worse. We had changed many coaches, there was a lot of pressure on us. It was not easy."
Goal: Many people view your former team-mate Raul as a future president of Real? How do you think he would do?
Bizzarri: "I don't know. It all depends on him and whether this is really what he'd really like to do in the future. I think that performing this role takes great skill. It's more business talk that football. Real Madrid is one of the largest clubs in the world. It is not easy to manage, there are many issues to be considered and you have to have special training, in my opinion. This does not mean he could not do it: he has great charisma and a great personality, and is well liked by everyone there. His future certainly lies at Real Madrid."
Goal: Going back to the Champions League, the other semi-final features Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, Pep Guardiola against Diego Simeone? Who do you consider favourites?
Bizzarri: "Bayern will start with a slight advantage, but Atletico is a tricky team for anyone, as demonstrated by the quarter-finals and knows how to deal with teams that play like Barcelona. Simeone has something special, a captivating personality, and he always manages to get more out of his players in games like this. So, if I were the Germans, I'd be very careful!"
Goal: In June, there's the Copa America, another competition that you know very well...
Bizzarri: "Yes, although only really from the outside because while I was called up in 1999, I didn't actually get on the pitch. But compared to my day, things have changed a lot. It's no longer just Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, there are many teams who can do well. I'm thinking of Colombia, Chile and Paraguay, who have come on a lot. It is a very balanced competition and for this reason, very interesting, as it's quite unpredictable."
Goal: Speaking of Argentina, how do you explain the difference between Messi's performances for Barcelona and those for his country?
Bizzarri: "I don't think that there are two Messi's. It's just that Barcelona play in a certain way and Argentina another. Obviously in the team with which he trains every day, there are moves and plays that everyone knows off by heart. This is impossible with the national team. In my opinion, winning something with Argentina would end this debate. If he wins a title with Argentina, everyone will forget about this story."
Goal: Is not being capped by your country your biggest regret?
Bizzarri: "But I still dream about being called up by the national team! It costs nothing to dream! I know it would be very difficult but I still hope it could happen. I still believe that I can play at a high level for another two or three seasons. I still feel good and when you get a chance at my age, you don't waste a single second. You train with every great intensity and determination."
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