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07/11/2001 (www.fcbayern.de)
Exclusive interview with Bixente Lizarazu
'Bayern was a great career decision'
Bixente Lizarazu's medal collection is to say the least impressive: he has winners' honours from the World Cup, the Champions' League, the Bundesliga (three times) and the German cup. And if Bayern succeed in winning the World Club Championship later in November, Lizarazu's collection will be as good as complete. The 31 year-old seldom appears in the media, preferring to let his deeds on the field make headlines instead.
This season has seen the diminutive Frenchman hit a rich vein of form - largely explained by Ottmar Hitzfeld's decision finally to play with a back four. "It's really worked out this year and I'm incredibly happy about it, because I grew up playing in this system," Lizarazu said - and this after seriously toying with a move away from Munich in the summer.
But in hindsight he's happy he chose to stay. "When it came to the crunch I had one last think about it and spoke with the club. I then chose to stick with the best solution - and that was to stay where I was." The decision certainly had logic on its side, as Lizarazu, who has now played three seasons in the Bavarian capital, desires success above all things, and the reigning European champions can as good as guarantee this.
But the Basque-born defender issued a warning to team and fans alike not to get caught up in euphoria. "We're on a great run. But it's a long season. We want to win the Bundesliga, the Champions' League and the World Club Championship, but above all else it's vital we are in top form for the decisive matches."
"Liza" himself is unquestionably already in peak form. Hardly any other professional comes close to matching the Frenchman for fitness and condition. And he continues playing sport in his free time. He likes to spend his vacation at home in the south-west of France, using every spare moment to indulge in his greatest passions: surfing and mountain biking.
"This is my life. Within a hundred kilometres you have the sea and mountains. That's where I belong. There's nothing to compare with this strip of land. Sure, I enjoy playing football, but above all I love the sea. When my career is over I'm going to live there. In the mountains, and by the sea, this is where I feel truly free," Lizarazu revealed of his spiritual home.
Bixente Lizarazu, we read very little about you in the German press. You seem especially reticent about giving interviews. Why is this?
Lizarazu: It's not as easy for me in Germany as it is in France. It's always difficult if you don't have a common language. I can't rectify misunderstandings with the journalists afterwards. In general I prefer not to give too many interviews and would rather use the time for myself.
Moving on to the current situation at Bayern Munich. You seem unbeatable right now. And above all else the fans are seeing superb football. What's your explanation for this?
Lizarazu: It's very easy: we're on a great run. But it's a long season. A month from now it could all look very different. We are not going to win every match by three or four goals. In comparison to last season, when we were outstanding defensively only in the last three months, we are already far more solid in this respect. During pre-season training we worked a lot on our defensive system. The thing that differentiates Bayern from other teams is that we have huge self-belief because of our victories. But against that, we cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by euphoria. We want to win the Bundesliga, the Champions' League and the World Club Championship, but above all it's vital we're in top form for the decisive games.
Why are Bayern so strong at the moment: because of Ottmar Hitzfeld's new system, or is it because of the new players?
Lizarazu: We are certainly stronger thanks to the new players. But I believe the main reason is the new system, which we tried out for the first time in Dortmund. We are playing with a back four and two defensive midfielders just in front. Playing this way demands a great deal of discipline. But as a result we are very solid at the back, allowing our strikers to try a few things creatively up front. So we complement each other. And of course in Giovane Elber, Claudio Pizarro, Roque Santa Cruz, Alexander Zickler and Carsten Jancker we do have excellent strikers.
What's so special about a back four?
Lizarazu: When you play with three centre-halves it's all about individual strengths, and you have to concentrate on man-marking, but with a back four it's how you play together collectively that's most important. When the ball is out on the right, the left-back has work to do as well. In my opinion a back four is considerably more effective. However, it's difficult to impose it on German teams, because it's simply not normal practice to play this way. It was difficult even at Bayern. The coach has tried it out time and again in the last two years, but we simply didn't have the right type of players for it. But it has worked out this year, and I'm very happy about this, because I grew up with this system more than anything else.
Do you think Ottmar Hitzfeld will change the system again?
Lizarazu: It's entirely possible. It depends totally on who's playing and above all what's best for the team. Last season it was better to play three centre-halves because we had precisely the right players for it. Sure, I prefer a back four, but another system is no problem for me either.
Turning briefly to the future: which teams are Bayern's main challengers in the Champions' League?
Lizarazu: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus Turin (even without Zidane) and then Arsenal and Roma. They are all outstanding teams.
You are on record as saying that if Real fail to win the Champions' League this season they should change sport.
Lizarazu: That was of course a joke. But any team with so much money, that can buy the world's best players, has to be successful. However, the management at Real has only thought in terms of attack, and has entirely failed to sign new defenders. If you want a decent team you have to have a balance. Actually Real play with only two defenders, as the wide men are always getting forward. For the two who stick around in the middle it is naturally a much harder job.
Do you think it will work out with Figo, Zidane and Raul in the same team?
Lizarazu: It won't be easy. Especially because the one team contains three extreme individualists. Madrid need the team as a whole to be more important again. In fact Figo and Raul depend on Zidane. In the end Zidane has to play in a central role, he is the chief distributor. He has the ability to put the ball wherever he wants... if only he wants to.
Returning to Bayern, you're now in your fourth season with the club and are one of the most experienced players. Where is your place in the team hierarchy?
Lizarazu: I don't know where I am in the hierarchy and I'm not concerned about it. I really don't particularly like stuff such as the pecking order. The only important thing for me is to do my job well. I'm not interested in what others think of me. In the dressing room I have no problems and I feel very much at home. Everyone is friendly towards me. The changing room atmosphere is great.
But you wanted to leave the club in the summer
Lizarazu: Moving on was one of many options. When it came to the crunch I thought about it a last time and also spoke with the club. Then I chose the best solution - and that was to stay put
What are your plans for the future?
Lizarazu: I am under contract until 2003, and then I'll be 33. Under normal circumstances that would be it for me and Bayern. However, I'd rather concentrate on the present and enjoy two more good years with the club, and play well in the World Cup.
Which is more likely: France defending their World Cup crown, or Bayern retaining the Champions' League Trophy?
Lizarazu: Both are entirely possible. Both teams have sufficient potential. But anything can happen from the quarter-finals onwards. In two seconds it can all be over. One small lapse in concentration, a decent cross, and good night
It's certainly not always easy for a Frenchman in Germany. How do you cope with German culture?
Lizarazu: I enjoy living here. But of course I'm suffering a bit in my private life, as neither my son nor my girlfriend live here. But for the time being I have everything well sorted out and I'm very satisfied. It was a very good decision for my career to come to Munich. I've enjoyed great success here.
It's well known you are a huge fan of water sports. But it's not easy to pursue this hobby in Munich.
Lizarazu: That's true. But my life in Munich is 95 percent football. My hobbies, such as surfing, I reserve for my home in south-west France. This is my life. Within a hundred kilometres you have the sea and mountains. That's where I belong. There's nothing to compare with this strip of land. Sure, I enjoy playing football, but above all I love the sea. When my career is over I'm going to live there. In the mountains, and by the sea, this is where I feel truly free.
What do you do with the five percent free time you have left?
Lizarazu: Munich is a wonderful city, and there are a number of excellent restaurants. I like to go out for walk walk. When I'm at home I surf the Internet a lot. I've got my own home page (bixentelizarazu.com - ed.). If I have time I like to watch French TV and I keep up to date with the news via French newspapers. I also thoroughly enjoy reading books.
What do you intend to do after your football career, will you still be involved with the game?
Lizarazu: That's difficult to say. Lots of players say they want nothing more to do with football, and two years later they're coaching. But I don't want to be a coach because I don't want to be permanently moving house. Perhaps I'll finish up manager at Girondins Bordeaux. Then I'll have to use my excellent connections with Bayern, with Uli Hoene� and Oliver Kahn, if he ends up as general manager at Bayern (laughs).
Apropos restaurants: France has world-class cuisine. What you think of Bavarian food?
Lizarazu: (laughs) It's not exactly ideal for sportsmen. I prefer Italian cuisine with pasta, that's much more "me".
Back to comparing France and Germany: the German national side is in trouble and faces a World Cup play-off against the Ukraine. What can German football learn from France?
Lizarazu: The best thing Germany can learn from us is to build up a system of centres of excellence for young players. But that's not something you achieve in two years. In France we've been investing in football schools for a period of 20 years. Now we're reaping the benefits. Every year there are new, highly-promising youngsters coming through.
And the other way round? Could the French learn something from the Germans?
Lizarazu: I'm a fan of German fighting spirit and the superb discipline. These virtues are essential if you want success in team sport. It amazes me about the Germans. It doesn't just apply to sport. At work in general they waste no time and never spend long complaining. But outside of work there's something missing, hmm, how shall I put this, a touch of flair
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