Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is relishing the “nice challenge” of pitting his wits against Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid during Saturday’s Champions League final.
The two grandees of continental football – who possess 17 European Cups between them – are set to clash in Kiev, Ukraine.
Madrid are going for a hat-trick of titles in a row, an achievement Klopp is, respectfully, desperate to deny them.
He told UEFA: “We’ve played plenty of really big games and we’ve won many of them. It’s obvious that it’s possible to win important trophies at this club.
“It’s not easy, but it’s possible. And it’s cool playing against Real Madrid.
“They’re the defending champions, and they’ve won back-to-back titles in this competition. They’ve done really well under Zinedine Zidane.
“He’s one of the top 10, top five players of all time. And now he’s the coach of Real Madrid, a hugely experienced team on the pitch – that’ll be a nice challenge.
“I’m glad we’re not playing against each other. Me against him, marking him or whatever… I’m very glad I can send my players onto the pitch.
Each day this week, we'll celebrate one of our five previous European Cup triumphs, beginning today with when it all started...
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“He’s an extraordinary character in the football world. I appreciate him.
“I admired him as a player and respect him as a colleague.
“It’s incredible what he’s been doing with [Real] Madrid. It’s really, really extraordinary.
“That’s why I’m obviously looking forward to it. But we’re not going there to grab some jerseys.
“I’m not going there to shake his hand, which of course will happen anyway. However, he’s a great footballing legend.”