Almeida: “A shame that football in Greece is a bit disorganized”

“Life is good here, really. Good weather, wonderful islands. Good food. Too bad for football, it’s a bit disorganized. ”

What memories do you have from your interior service?

“I played in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan with Argentina. And that summer Parma sold me to Inter. It was a great club. The Italian clubs at that time, as foreigners and as a championship, were very strong. Each team had 7-8 top players, as in the Premier League. I was there for two years. We didn’t manage to win titles, but we got to the Champions League semifinals. He is a great club, I have good memories of him. At that time there was Morati. A gentleman. It’s a beautiful memory. ”

Has Italian football changed a lot in the last 20 years?

“Yes, very much. At that time, from 1990 to 2005, I think Italian football was the strongest. There were very good Italians and the foreigners coming were top players, national team players. Then the English football began to develop a lot. I think in Spain, Barcelona and Real held their place. At that time Scudetto was very powerful, very complete. ”

For the team that Inter had when he was playing, Almeida said:

“It was a huge team. Just like Parma, Lazio when I was there. There are still some very good players today, but at that time they were scattered. Lazio, Roma, Fiorentina, Parma, Milan, Inter, Juventus and Bologna. A very high level. Now (the players) are among only the big teams. Lazio didn’t win other titles, Roma, Parma, we know how it went … “.

How would you define Inter as an entity, as a social mass, as aura …?

“In Italy, Inter-Yuve is the classic. Playing for any of these two was tough. You went all over the country to play and you had fans everywhere. Inter’s leader was Morati, as I said. It gave you calm. He and his directors. In care, the severity, the clarity. Christmas had terrible holidays. I have great memories of how I lived it, but also how I dealt with it. ”

What do you think about Inter today? You have played with Inzaghi in Lazio.

“Many coaches came out of that Lazio. Inzaghi, Mikhailovic Simone, I, Mancini. I didn’t think Simone would become a coach. He didn’t even believe the same for me. I started watching him in Lazio and had determined his style. He took some time on his Inter, but he has his style again. It’s not the typical Italian style, it has modernized it. He has become an identity coach, he knows what his teams are playing. ”

What advantages do he think each team has?

“It will be very balanced, because this Barcelona plays spectacularly. It’s a wonderful sight. Inter has the experience, the power of the Italian team and will try to make Barcelona feel it and get it difficult. Inter does not have so much quality possession of the ball, but it has other virtues on the line. Air game, strikers who do not forgive and are used to a front-f and reign. They have a better overhead game than Barca. But Barca’s children are all “illuminated”. I can’t find a candidate. It will be barbaric. Different systems, different football cultures, each in their own style. ”

Is it surprised by what Fluc in Barca has done in such a short time?

“I’m not surprised. The big ones always go to Barca. It was a great decision. He got a team of young players with impressive talent and a simplicity in the game. Fast, technicians, physically fast, to solve the problem. With a terrible collective game, but with a player skill … Triumphs give joy and confidence and this helps to develop. The players and the world come with their happiness, as they were used to in Messi’s era. ”

Who would you choose from each group?

“There are many of them. Barcelona’s midfield is enjoyable. How tall are these kids? It’s a beautiful example of world football. Now they are looking for tall, strong players. Barcelona has always been an example of how to play with the ball, with passes, with mobility. The most beautiful thing for a player is to touch the ball. We didn’t like to see him constantly passing over the top. This midfield of Barca is something you can take on your bedside table, open the drawer and say, “Let’s play, guys.” If they maintain this athletic humility and not pass them into the minds, they will gain many things. Inter, on the other hand, is characterized by our Argentinean, Lautarus. They never give up, they chase them all. They run, recover, reach the goal. This is Inter. I see Lautarus as the most dangerous, the real leader. ”

What kind of atmosphere will Barca find in Meacha?

“On the San Siro stadium, the world is closer, it is felt. But I don’t think Barcelona’s kids will feel pressure. They are used to it. ”

If you were in the position of Inzaghi, how would you approach the game?

“What is the best thing Barca has? In order not to pass the passes to its front players, they must block the midfield. Inter must ensure that midfielders do not easily accept. They have to feel uncomfortable. Barca then tries to recover the ball after a loss and Inter has a small piece of play that if it quickly gets into the counter, can find open spaces. I think Barca doesn’t have the speed to play with the line so high. If Inter is waiting for them and lets them play, Barcelona will score a goal. It must be far from the Inter fire. ”

You treated Barca twice when you were in Seville. Ronaldo’s Barca:

“Everyone was suffering from Ronaldo. One of the best players I’ve ever seen. His year in Barca was awesome, he was taking the distant ball and dribbled four together. It made a big difference. We have suffered with Seville. In the Camp Nou we were put on five and I was eliminated. I remember well that day. For me, Ronaldo and Zidane are the best players I have faced. ”

And who do you choose from today?

“I think the most complete is Bellingham. I really like it. It runs, it plays everything, it is 1.90 m high and does it all well. Receives, dribbles, reaches the opponent’s area. Then, of course, the kids Barcelona has on top. Lamin is a future star. It’s a shame that dyed his blond hair. We have to keep him quiet. And then comes a … spruce from Argentina, Mastadron. ”

Is it difficult to manage Yamal’s success?

“Yes, because this is life. Football is a part of life, the other is real life, which will be constant. Football is coming to an end and you have to stay on top. I am 51 years old, I played football for many years, I won championships, played in World Cups and the Argentine national team for eight years. The player is always abandoned. As he plays and does well, he is the king. After that comes the hit. When you stop playing, if you were called 100 times, they will now call you 10 times. Young people will stop knowing you. You have to prepare him and everyone psychologically. In Barca they enjoy playing ball. This is the essence. ”

What are the keys to qualifying?