Hierro: “In my time, Juve, Inter, Milan … they were great teams”

Of the 103 international matches that Fernando Hierro played for Madrid in European competitions, 15 were against Italian clubs. From Milan (2) to Juventus (5), passing through Torino (2), Inter (1), Lazio (2) and Roma (3). Precisely their last match was against the Bianconeri, in Delle Alpi, on 5/14/2003. Madrid were eliminated in the semifinals of the Champions League (3-1) after having won 2-1 at the Bernabéu.

—With all the respect in the world, Atalanta is a wonderful team that plays very offensive football, with constant attack, but in our time it was other Italian clubs that we met. Juventus, Inter, Milan… In the 90s, Italians were the rulers of Europe. They were great teams. They won more titles. They were their best years, then in the first decade of the 2000s we took over from them … but then they were fearsome. They complicated your life in one way or another. That is why Madrid must now have confidence in its possibilities, because it is an Italian team, it should not be cowed.

“You liked to face the Italians, didn't you?”

“Yes, why am I going to tell you otherwise?” It motivated me. Back then, there was a lot of talk about them, their winning mentality, their physical preparation, their tactics … Then we knew less about their rivals, but Italians always stood out for their physical power and tactical wealth. They were two concepts that worked very well. They were more advanced.

—Your first experience was against Milan de Sacchi (89-90).

“Yeah, the year after they put five of us into San Siro.” I was not there, but the teammates told me about that game. That Milan was the best team of the moment. It was a pure draw and he went to play us in the eighth. There 2-0 they whistled us a penalty that was outside the area, Van Basten scored. At the Bernabéu we won 1-0, but we played with one less because Paco Llorente was injured. Rijkaard, Van Basten, Gullit, Baresi, Maldini, Tassotti, Evani, Ancelotti, Donadoni… I remember them all. A gentleman team.

—Your last European match was in Turin (05-14-2003) …

“As if to forget it.” Everything happened. It was an extraordinary Juve. We missed a penalty, Figo. Buffon guessed it. Ronaldo was injured and entered the second half and as soon as he entered they gave him a penalty. We had our options in the end. At home we had won 2-1 and they went 3-0. Zidane scored at the end. I would have liked to say goodbye to Europe with a victory, things are worse. On my way to the locker room I knew it was my last game. I already knew that I was not going to continue at Madrid the following season, but I also knew that there was a month and a half of competition left and then we won the league.

– The best memory, without discussion, the final of the Champions League of 98 in Amsterdam.

—That victory is the most important in the recent history of Madrid. The Seventh marks a before and after in the club's history. Its meaning was capital. Winning was a break for a generation that was obsessed with the European Cup because it had not been won for 32 years. We inherit the obsession of the previous ones. Since I arrived at the club, everyone was telling me about the European Cup. It was like a break also for the madridismo who had been waiting for so many years. It was an eternal happiness.

—In 91-92, the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup against Torino.

—The night of the game at the Bernabéu was Juanito's accident when he was returning home. We won 2-1. For the companions who knew him well it was a hard blow. Then they beat us 2-0 there. Martín Vázquez played with them. And the Belgian Scifo, Lentini, the tall Brazilian center forward, Casagrande. Rocha scored an own goal there. That Torino was strong, that's what I said before, all the teams were good. They were what we have been until a couple of years ago … That the three Champions of Madrid are not so far … Sevilla win the Europa League.

—In 98-99 he plays the banishment game in Seville because the Bernabéu was closed …

—The Sánchez Pizjuán looked like the Bernabéu. I scored a penalty and the second Seedorf. It was the first match of the group league.

– Later he also faced Lazio and Roma …

—Of the greats, I only needed to face Naples. Yes, all very often. We played against Roma there on the day of the tragedy of the Twin Towers (9-11-2001)… It shouldn't have been played but they forced us. We won with goals from Guti and Figo … Something always happened against the Italians …