Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner admits the Champions League final may have been ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’.
The Bianconeri reached the final last season, beating Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on the way, but were defeated 3-1 by Barcelona.
“On the day of the game I wasn’t really that nervous anymore,” Lichtsteiner recalled in an interview with FIFA’s website.
Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner admits the Champions League final may have been ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’.
The Bianconeri reached the final last season, beating Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on the way, but were defeated 3-1 by Barcelona.
“On the day of the game I wasn’t really that nervous anymore,” Lichtsteiner recalled in an interview with FIFA’s website.
“I was pretty relaxed and was just incredibly excited about the final. I knew that in two hours it would all be over, one way or another.
“But I was pretty nervous in the week leading up to the game. You think about winning the title, everything revolves around that one game and you can hardly wait to get out there and start playing.
“We’d had a great season, having won two titles already, and were prepared to get our hands on the big trophy. Both the supporters and the players were desperate to make that dream a reality.
“Juve is one of the biggest teams in Europe, but still not quite at the same level as Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. Clubs like these reach the final on a regular basis.
“For me, however, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I knew it was now or never.
“I was therefore incredibly disappointed after the match. In hindsight, I can be happy with everything we achieved last season as a team.
“I’m also proud of my own performance. I played every minute of our 13 Champions League matches last season.”
Lichtsteiner has been named Swiss footballer of the year, but this will be his eighth Serie A season, following time with Lazio and the Old Lady, and the full-back discussed life in his adopted country.
“Italy is one of the nicest countries in Europe and has everything you could wish for.
“You’ve got the ocean, the mountains, the lakes, great food and a fantastic lifestyle. I’m also a big fan of the mentality of the Italian people.
“They’re open and relaxed, perhaps more so in the south than in the north. They’re also extremely passionate about football, which is more of a tactical game in Italy.
“The emphasis is placed on perfection and that doesn’t always result in the sort of spectacle we’re used to seeing in other leagues.
“But you can feel how much the Italians love their football. Everyone has an opinion which they’re eager to put across.”