Former Inter midfielder, Dejan Stankovic, spoke exclusively to Top Eleven ahead of the Champions League final about his thoughts on the upcoming final on Saturday. Below is an excerpt from the interview and at the very bottom of the page you can see the entire interview.

“I was talking about Inter in 2010. We played four matches but I believe that the semi-final in Milan, where we won 3-1 was the deal breaker. I still remember Jose Mourinho’s words: ‘All I need is one more goal to make it to Barcelona’. And so it was, we won 3-1. With a little cunning, lots of enthusiasm and determination, again Mourinho was right.”

Winning CL?

“It’s the pinnacle of a footballer’s career. The greatest moment for a footballer. All the sacrifices, all those moments you’ve been through… from a footballer’s standpoint I mean, all the wins, all the losses are worth that trophy. I remember when I was underneath the Bernabeu and when I looked up at the Champions League cup, I was crying my eyes out. It’s emotional for me and also for my family, I am pleased my children also got to see their dad holding up the Champions’ League cup. Also talking to Ivanovic and other athletes, we all agreed that it was the best feeling a footballer can get.”

Mourinho?

“For me Mourinho is one of a kind. And as he says, “the special one”. Most of all because he managed to bring something out in me that I didn’t know I had. It’s incredible. I will never stop thanking him for those two splendid years that we spent together. I’m still in touch with him. I called him last week to congratulate him on his latest achievement (which I know won’t be the last one of his career). He’ll always be someone I look up to.”

“Great, he won the Premier League, bringing the cup back to Stamford Bridge. He was not able to make any headway in the Champions League this year, but I know him well, and I know that he will aim to win the Champions League next year.”

Stankovic has started his managerial career. Is it totally different to playing?

“Yes. A whole different thing. Football on the pitch and football from the bench are two completely different things. This year in Udine, as a shadow of Stramaccioni I have learnt a lot. I am sure that this experience will help me a lot in my next job..I yet don’t know what that is going to be, but I know it will help. Like I always say, to be off the pitch is to be cut off. Obviously when you’re a player you only see one side, as a manager you see both. It’s a world of its own, the place you work, you prepare the game and then on the Sunday you see if the team is keeping up with you, then the results are noticeable. When winning a match as manager, the feeling you get is very different to that of a player. It’s quite different.”

The entire interview: