If Socrates were a physician, Maradona a performer, Džajić a left winger, Savićević the local boy from Durres, then Peđa Mijatović would be the scholar. While sports commentators detail his football prowess, I find his discourse on the game utterly captivating. He possesses an extensive knowledge.

We’re situated in the Bayrisher Hof hotel, a venue where I once mingled with Klitschko and Deripaska during the Munich Security Conference about a decade ago, held every February. You might recall how, this February, the audacious Vance, the US vice president, rebuked European leaders here, delivering a speech on freedom and democracy. What a twist of fate.

As a devoted Madridista, Peđa’s heart lies with Real Madrid, the team that he pledges his loyalty to, and Madrid is the city where he aims to spend the remainder of his life. It’s, in fact, the best place on Earth—believe me. So, our dialogue commences with Real Madrid.

Is it unusual to see a Champions League final without Real Madrid, given their dominance over the last decade?

“To be honest, it is unusual. Over the past 10 years, Real has clinched the Champions League title six times, so we’ve grown accustomed to seeing them in the finals. They even had a remarkable run winning three titles back-to-back, and I doubt we’ll see anyone replicate that feat soon. Perhaps in the distant future, but not in the immediate one. On the flip side, it’s beneficial for other teams to experience that Champions League triumph, as it’s unhealthy for just one team to dominate as Real has for years.”

What led to Real Madrid’s trophy-less season?

“Last year, Real Madrid triumphantly won both the Champions League and the Spanish championship, marking the end of a significant era. Kroos bid farewell last year, Benzema the year before, and this year, Luka also said goodbye. These were players who defined an entire decade. We’re now witnessing a generational shift, with a new coach stepping in, and the team needs to be rebuilt. Key positions in midfield and defense must be refreshed. They have considerable work ahead, and it’s unrealistic to expect Real Madrid to regain their former supremacy right away. Change in football is generally gradual, despite popular belief, but they will definitely strive to recruit talented players to attempt to mirror the previous generation’s successes in the coming years, even if it seems impossible.”

How suited is Xavi Alonso for handling the responsibilities of the Real Madrid bench?

“He’s undoubtedly a coach destined for greatness, even if he’s relatively new to this challenge. His intimate understanding of Real Madrid stems from his playing days there, where he won significant titles. He achieved commendable results in his two years at Bayer Leverkusen, so I believe he can handle the pressure. However, taking over from Ancelotti, who accomplished unique feats in Madrid, adds to the difficulty. Many, including the media, will inevitably compare his performance to Ancelotti’s. Nonetheless, I feel Xavi is well-informed about the workings of the club; fans just need to practice patience. Progress in football doesn’t happen overnight; Madridistas need to be willing to invest time in the team’s development.”

PSG only reached the final after Mbappé left; Real Madrid missed the final when they finally brought him in…

“I must confess that this topic has surfaced frequently over the past month, and there’s truth to it. Mbappé has proven himself as an exceptional player, becoming the joint top scorer in his first year in Spain. Yet, one player, regardless of their talent, cannot carry a team—football is a collective endeavor. When reviewing all the Champions Leagues that Real Madrid won in recent years, numerous players consistently performed at high levels; it wasn’t solely about one player. If Benzema scored goals, Modric facilitated them, and Courtois made crucial saves in finals. Winning a trophy like the Champions League requires more than just a couple of outstanding players—you need a cohesive team. PSG and Inter this year lack that standout player.”

What are your expectations for the final?

“I anticipate a clash of two entirely different footballing philosophies. One is tactical and disciplined, characterized by a structured Italian game, despite them scoring numerous goals in the semi-finals—which is peculiar. The other, PSG, is vibrant—focused on relentless attacks with no reservations; we could score four goals or concede the same. It will be an intriguing match—the contrasting styles promise an exciting final, based on what we witnessed in the semi-finals from both teams.”

Do you expect a better final than the last three, which were more about results than quality play?

“I certainly do! Finals can be tricky; having played in one myself, I understand that no matter the build-up, the dynamics of a final are unique—there’s zero room for error, prompting calculated waits for the opponent’s mistakes. However, I doubt it will play out that way here, primarily due to Paris Saint-Germain’s nature; they are a team that doesn’t approach games with a cautious mindset. It all hinges on how quickly the game opens up and whether someone finds the net early on. Both semi-finals between Inter and Barcelona rapidly unfolded, which eliminates the waiting game.”

It seems you have a slight preference for PSG because of their attacking style…

“You’re correct. They’ve enjoyed a fantastic season, and it’s promising for football that a team without stars like Neymar, Messi, and Mbappé has made it to the Champions League final. This reflects positively on all their players, including Luis Enrique, whose team plays entertaining football. Conversely, they face a formidable opponent that has reached the final twice in three years—completely deserving respect. Their experience is invaluable, and just two years ago, they were so close to victory in Istanbul.”

Ancelotti and Brazil—what are your thoughts on that combination?

“I must note that Ancelotti is statistically the most successful coach in Real Madrid’s history, which speaks volumes about his impact and reputation. I was somewhat surprised by his appointment as Brazil’s coach, given he had never managed at the national level before, which felt a bit unusual. Yet, his extensive experience from numerous high-stakes matches probably contributed to his decision-making. This presents a fascinating new chapter; we’ll see how well the Brazilian team can assume the role of favorites. I’m uncertain, as various national teams may have advantages over them at next year’s World Cup. Nevertheless, Ancelotti possesses something many coaches lack—a unique rapport with players that allows him to maximize their potential.”

On the subject of national teams, how do you assess Montenegro’s potential in the World Cup qualifiers?

“I genuinely hope Montenegro is progressively making strides towards qualifying for a major tournament. Whether it’s for the next World Cup or the European Championship in two years, time will tell, but I believe the national team and the Football Association are ready to embark on that journey. Qualifying for the European Championship seems more feasible due to the increased number of participating teams. As someone from the region, I wish them all success. It would be extraordinary for Montenegro to compete in a major competition for the first time, benefiting player recognition and national pride. I truly believe this could happen imminently—if not now, then very soon.”

Do you see a new Mijatović or Savićević among the younger generations?

“Honestly, I haven’t closely followed younger talents in recent years, but now that I’m involved with Partizan, I’m gaining insights from across the region. There is a pulse of quality young players emerging. Whether there’s a new Savićević or Mijatović might be possible, but they need to be identified, and they must be given opportunities to shine. I remain optimistic about youth; in recent times, that barrier has lessened. We’ve witnessed young talents, particularly from Barcelona, making significant impacts. So why can’t we? We unquestionably have talent to build upon.”

Partizan—what does the situation look like? Is there hope ahead?

“We’ve been in this role for five to six months and have made considerable progress—in infrastructure, sports, and nurturing young talents who are poised to become the core of the team. On Monday, we have the club assembly where decisions regarding our future will be made. Our group is eager to continue the work we’ve started; we don’t want to leave anything unfinished. If granted the trust, and I remain hopeful, our real efforts will commence on Tuesday. Thus far, we’ve been in a temporary position, which limited long-term decisions, but if we proceed, we’ll focus on returning Partizan to its rightful place.”

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