Predraj Mijatovic doesn’t see a favourite between Juventus and Real Madrid, and insists his goal in the 1998 final was onside.
The Bianconeri meet the Spanish champions in Cardiff on June 3, as the Italians look for a Treble and Los Merengues aim to become the first team to retain the Champions League.
“It’s a great final between two world-class teams,” Mijatovic told Tuttomercatoweb.
Predraj Mijatovic doesn’t see a favourite between Juventus and Real Madrid, and insists his goal in the 1998 final was onside.
The Bianconeri meet the Spanish champions in Cardiff on June 3, as the Italians look for a Treble and Los Merengues aim to become the first team to retain the Champions League.
“It’s a great final between two world-class teams,” Mijatovic told Tuttomercatoweb.
“I’m particularly happy because I experienced this clash many years ago and it’s something special, so we’ll see how it ends this time.
“It’s true that they were favourites [in 1998] because they’d just won the League while we were coming off a negative League campaign.
“This year I don’t see a favourite, both won their domestic League, both have international players and both have players who can solve the game.
“I see a slight advantage for Real Madrid, who have been in great form for the past two months, have so many champions and have a bench of a great level.
“[Zinedine] Zidane has many great players to choose from, though of course in a one-off game that might not count for anything.
“I didn’t expect him [Zidane] to do so well, but he’s proven himself to be a modern Coach who plays a lot on the psychology of his players. I think that’s what matters most in a team of great stars like Real Madrid.
“Who is most dangerous for Juventus? I’d choose two. The first is Gonzalo Higuain, who I brought to Real Madrid many years ago.
“I like seeing him at these levels and he’s proven to be deadly, able to solve a Champions League final.
“The second is Dybala. He’s a different player, special. With his play he can change a game. Him and Higuain and the ones to watch out for.
“I didn’t mention Buffon? But he’s beyond categorisation. Buffon is an institution and deserves all my respect.”
Mijatovic scored the winner in the 1998 final, though Juventini maintain to this day he was offside…
“What offside? The goal was absolutely regular. No-one from Juventus put their hand up to complain or call for offside.”
That goal made the striker a hero when he later signed for Fiorentina.
“We all know the rivalry between Fiorentina and Juventus,” Mijatovic smiled.
“It’s a normal thing, and because of that I was welcomed like a hero in Florence. My Viola experience was beautiful, I loved the warmth and heart of the fans.
“Unfortunately I didn’t play much, there were problems with the club that contaminated the experience.”