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Nicolas Burdisso: When the going gets tough...
Having marked Andriy Shevchenko out of the last Intercontinental final, Nicolas Burdisso will face Milan again in the new season after moving to Inter. Dominique Antognoni talks exclusively to the stopper
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“Yes I am a tough customer on the field of play but that is the only way for me to be respected.” Welcome to Nicolas Burdisso, a 23-year-old defender who was signed by Inter under the noses of Palermo this summer. He cost around £4m but few in Europe know too much about him even though his honours list is so impressive. Despite his tender years, Burdisso has won the Coppa Libertadores three times, two Intercontinental Cups and an Under-20 World Cup – much more than Inter as a whole in the last decade.
Welcome to Italy Nicolas, how would you quickly describe yourself?
I’m a pretty tough guy on the field of play but off it I’m the most tranquil person in the world.
How tough are you?
I’m not going to deny the fact that if a strong challenge is needed then I won’t pull out. If you are too soft in Italian football then you’ll concede three goals a game.
You are used to winning but you’ve joined a club who haven’t won for an age. Playing for the Nerazzurri is set to be a lot different from playing with Boca Juniors.
I don’t think that is true. There was always a lot of pressure on us at Boca to succeed and that will also be the case here.
You’ve only just arrived in Italy but have you noticed any differences between the football here and in Argentina.
The differences are evident. There is more emphasis on tactics over here while the game in my homeland is based much more on instinct. You also have much less time on the ball in Italy so you have to think quickly.
Was it difficult to leave South America?
I was waiting for this moment to arrive. Taking such a big step is an obligation for those people who want to become great players. I will certainly miss many things but you can’t pass on such an opportunity as this one.
What do you have to say about your new boss, Roberto Mancini?
He is similar in style to Argentina’s Marcelo Bielsa. I like to be a part of a team that plays football to entertain.
You are one of a number of Argentines at Inter. How well do you know them?
They are a part of another generation who are all close to 30-years-old. I’m disappointed that Matias Almeyda has left but Esteban Cambiasso has replaced him – even if I don’t really know him as he has spent most of his playing days in Spain.
Let us talk about your beginnings.
I was born in Altos de Chipion, a village of only one thousand people. But football is played in every corner of Argentina so it doesn’t matter in which part of the country you are brought up in. Obviously you need to move on to go up in level and at14 I moved to Buenos Aires with the Boca youth system. I gradually progressed right through to the first team. My first Coach was my father who played for a First Division team called Istituto di Cordoba. Ironically I made my debut against them as a professional.
When did you realise that you could become an important player?
I always knew.
What does Boca mean to you?
It is the biggest club in the country and the most important. It is a unique outfit which I left after we lost in the final of the Coppa Libertadores, even if we won many other honours over the last few years.
Is there a Boca player that you would like to have with you at Inter?
Carlos Tevez. I would have also said Juan Riquelme but he is already in Europe with Villareal of Spain.
Have you always been a centre-back?
I’ve played as a full-back when needed or in a three-man defence even if I am really a central defender.
Which Inter players did you admire from afar?
Christian Vieri and Fabio Cannavaro.
Is it true that your great grandparents are from Italy?
Yes, they come from around the area of Turin. I haven’t yet had the time to go and visit the village yet but I will.
What can you tell us about your private life?
I married young and we have an 18-month old daughter. It isn’t normal for someone of my age to already be so settled but when you move away from home at such a young age then you mature at a faster rate. My parents are both teachers and I also have five brothers.
Now for the standard question for all Argentines – what are your feelings about Diego Armando Maradona?
He is an idol for everybody and even if he is struggling with his health right now, he is always in the dreams of our people.
Have you ever spoken to him?
He called me after we won the Intercontinental title two years ago. It is still hard to believe but Maradona actually phoned to congratulate me…
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| Interviewed: September 2004 |
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