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PUSKÁS FINDS PLACE IN SCOTTISH COACHING LEGEND’S DREAM TEAM

18 Jun. 2019.

Former UEFA technical director and former Scotland head coach Andy Roxburgh selected his dream XI from players who have appeared in European Cup and Champions League finals over the last 50 years.

Goalkeeper Dino Zoff
One of the best goalkeepers ever, the oldest World Cup winner at 40 years-old, European Cup finalist with Juventus and a European Champions with Italy. The epitome of reliability.

Right back Tarcisio Burgnich
Two-time European Cup winner with Internazionale. Outstanding defender and the perfect partner for the more attack minded Giacinto Facchetti on the left. I knew him as a humble, serious man.

Central defence José Emilio Santamaría
A member of the great Real Madrid team of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Four-time European Cup winner. Strong, steadfast and experienced footballer from Montevideo. His performance in the 1960 European Cup final at Hampden was spellbinding.

Central defence Franco Baresi
An outstanding leader at the back for Milan blessed with the ability to contain his opponent. His incredible pace thwarted many an attack. His three European Cups won with Milan are testimony to his ability.

Left back Giacinto Facchetti
The Inter star was a proud winner of two European Cups, and was also a runner-up on two occasions. An outstanding footballer and individual who won the European Championship and reached a World Cup final with the Italian national team. I’m lucky to have known him.

Defensive midfield Franz Beckenbauer
The only player to win three European Cups with his team as captain (1974-1976), an outstanding example of a complete defender. In my team his task is to shore up the midfield behind the magical trio of Platini, Cruyff and Zidane. I’ve known the Bayern legend for over thirty years, and he is an exceptional character.

Right midfield Johan Cruyff
The archetypal all-round, complete footballer. A great ability to weigh up situations, technical ability, pace, a great team player. Won three European Cups with Ajax as a player and picked up the trophy as head coach of Barcelona.

Central midfield Michel Platini
Elegant, a great passer and a great finisher, and an outstanding dead-ball expert. A European Cup winner with Juventus in 1985 and a finalist in 1983. Captain of France’s 1984 European Championship-winning team. Once told me that his greatest strength was his reading of the game. Also reached the top away from the pitch as UEFA President.

Left midfield Zinedine Zidane
A masterful player; those who said he wasn’t quick as a young player weren’t watching his feet. Won the Champions League in 2002 with Real Madrid and a World Cup and European Championship with France. An attacking midfielder blessed with creativity who joined Madrid from Juventus. It’s not an overstatement to say he’s one of the greatest of all time.

Forward Alfredo di Stéfano
A true footballing legend whose technical and tactical awareness lifted him up among the ranks of the most outstanding attackers. Won five European Cups with Real Madrid, nicknamed ‘The Blond Arrow’.

Forward Ferenc Puskás 
‘The Galloping Major’ could also have played the violin with his wonderful left foot. My childhood idol and what he and Alfredo Di Stéfano did in the 1960 European Cup final at Hampden is something I will never forget. Three-time European Cup winner and twice a runner-up. He was an outstanding player, and his ability was paired with unrivalled generosity.

Head coach
I would choose from among two close friends: FIFA Coach of the XX Century Rinus Michels, and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Substitutes:

Oliver Kahn Champions League winner and a reliable servant for Bayern and the German national team.

Paolo Maldini A fantastic defender in the mould of Facchetti, made 135 appearances in the European Cup and Champions League. Won the trophy five times with Milan.

Bobby Charlton Elegant attacking midfielder with a great shot. Won the European Cup with Manchester United and the World Cup with England. A great player and a great man off the field too.

Marco van Basten Ajax and Milan forward with outstanding ability and a propensity for the spectacular. Two-time European Cup winner with Milan and a European Championship winner with the Netherlands.

Eusébio The Benfica star only finds a place the bench for my dream team due to the brilliant pair of Di Stéfano and Puskás. A world-great who scored 727 top-level goals.

(first published in the June 2010 edition of FourFourTwo)