Altintop (Gelsenkirchen, 1982) will be one of the personalities of Turkish football present this afternoon in the Champions League draw, which will take place in Istanbul. Before, he attended various media, including AS, to talk about the 2021-22 Champions League. He also reviewed his time at Real Madrid.
How do you see the Champions League this year?
Difficult to forecast. PSG is very strong, but not the only one. There are the English, Madrid, Chelsea defending the title … It is not known what could happen.
Will Mbappé arrive at Madrid?
We do not know. I have spoken with people from the club and they are not clear about what can happen.
What do you remember from your first days at Madrid?
It took me a lot to acclimatize to another country, to another league. The first six months I didn't have a good time. Then everything was different. I enjoyed Madrid and a great club.
Any curiosity about the wardrobe?
The influence of Mourinho, he was a coach with great ancestry. He told us: “If we go together in everything, we will do well.” Even with the press, we all had to go together. She was a technician with a great personality. We also made a league with 100 points, it was excellent.
Does the responsibility of playing at the Bernabéu weigh?
It is very different to do it in the League or in the Champions League. At the league matches there were many tourists; In the Champions League, there was a great atmosphere. Similar to Turkey, although Turkish fields are generally hotter. The difference is that there are more great Champions League matches in Spain than in Turkey.
Who were the most decisive players you agreed with?
One of them is Lucio, without a doubt. He was a spectacular center-back. He had the German mentality and the Brazilian quality. And of course also Ramos and Pepe. Before the defenses were not like now. Forcefulness mattered, not so much position. Guardiola has spent a lot on defenses, it is because the game starts from behind.
What references do you have of Yusuf Demir, Barça's new talent?
I know him well. He is a great talent. Turkey has been negotiating with him to play with us, even though he was born and raised in Austria. Barça is a good team for him. He is going to grow a lot as a player. The new Messi? I do not know. That's saying a lot. But if you work well with him, he can be one of the greats.