When Real Madrid face Juventus in Cardiff on June 3, it will be a rematch of the Champions League final that Los Blancos won over Edgar Davids' Bianconeri 19 years earlier, a game that the Dutchman felt the Italians should have triumphed in.
A second half Pedrag Mijatovic strike claimed the trophy in Amsterdam and Juve are still yet to win the European title since since their victory over Ajax two years before, and MARCA caught up with Davids before this year's Cardiff showpiece.

What differences are there between the 1998 Real team and this one? And between the Juventus teams?

"There are so many small differences, Madrid are now more defensive, as are Juventus. Although Zinedine Zidane's team are more offensive when compared to this Juve side."

Do you think Madrid and Juve justify being finalists, or are there other teams that deserve to be there?

"I think both these teams have had spectacular seasons, and therefore they both deserve to be in the final."

Who will be the most decisive player in the final?

"I don't know, it could be any of them. That's how finals work. Last season, many people said that Cristiano Ronaldo was going to be the man of the match and he didn't play well, but then he appeared for the shootout. It shows that, even if he plays badly, he can take advantage of any opportunity."

Will this match determine the Ballon d'Or?

"I think the Ballon d'Or is overrated, there are players who do very well but since they aren't in the Champions League, they don't get that recognition. Last season it was obvious Ronaldo would win because of the Champions League and European Championship. I respect him, although in the end he wasn't in the Euro 2016 final and didn't played well in Milan."
"Even so, he had some great games and in the semi-final in particular. It's clear that it's not luck win you win the Ballon d'Or more than once. This year, if anyone wins the final then they'll have a chance."

You were at Juventus with Zidane, what have you made of him as Real coach?

"He's won the Champions League and LaLiga, now he has the opportunity to win the Champions League again. If he does, he will make history and that's the most important thing. Therefore he's a good coach."

Who will win on Saturday, Juventus or Real?

"Juve. In 1998 we were the favourites and the much better team, and the result was to the contrary. They have the opportunity to win it now."

One of Juve's stars is Paulo Dybala, what would you tell him to do given Madrid and Barcelona are interested in him?

"I would tell him not to leave, as at those two teams he'll be a substitute. Besides, he's still young."

Will we see Edgar Davids back on the bench soon?

"Yes, I would like to be, if there is a good opportunity. There are many people who take any chance at being a coach and the situation isn't right, and they become a coach by any means necessary, and it turns out to be the wrong team. Then they don't get the right results and don't show their potential."

Who's your favourite coach at the moment?

"I don't have a favourite. People admire those who do well with the best teams but there are many others who do well with smaller teams. Nowadays the quality of a coach is measured by titles, so before it was Jose Mourinho and now it's Antonio Conte, but I haven't got a favourite."

Does any player emulate your style?

"There aren't many like me now, many are better but they are different. Everyone tells me about Casemiro and he's good, maybe better than me, but he'll never be the best. For me, that will always be Claude Makelele."

How have you viewed Lionel Messi's season?

"Messi has had a good season and reached some incredible numbers, but Barcelona haven't met their goals. The problem when you are Barcelona or Real is that, unless you win, you don't have a good season. It's a pressure that only those who have played there know."