Liam Mackey, Rome
Greetings from Rome on the eve of the Champions’ League final. More specifically, greetings from the Stadio Olimpico media working room – and no, that’s not a contradiction in terms, thanks very much - which offers some air-conditioned respite from the ferocious heat outside.
Not that a place like this is a centre of cool on D-Day minus one. Having learned from hard-earned experience, I made a point of getting out here early this morning, beating the queues for that that all-important accreditation, and securing a seat and a desk and somewhere to plug in the trusty laptop.
There weren’t too many about the place at that point but in the last couple of hours a steady influx has used up every available power-point. The late arrivals aren’t happy, scouring the place for somewhere to pen those vital previews. Voices are raised in a babel of tongues and the smiles of the UEFA personnel are beginning to look strained.
Same as it ever was.
Out in the corridor, I just saw Paddy Crerand chatting to the man who used to be Statto on ‘Fantasy Football’. Suddenly, I’m nine years old again and watching enthralled as Man Utd win their first European Cup final, beating Benfica 4-1 at Wembley. Of course, Georgie was my man but I also remember rushing excitedly into the kitchen to inform my long-suffering mother that, guess what, Bobby Charlton just scored – with a header!
So enough of the professional griping and the moaning. Yes, it would be nice if the Wi-Fi didn’t keep failing and, no, I’m not happy that some other hacks seem to have dinner vouchers while I’m being asked to pay through the nose for a sambo and coke. Where’s Amnesty when you need them?
Know what? It doesn’t matter. In about 20 minutes from now, Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand will be appearing before us to answer a few questions, after which it will be the turn of the Barca camp.
Then tomorrow night, they’ll be doing their talking on the pitch in front of millions and I’ll be there in the stadium to see them doing it.
I think I know what that 9 year old would say about this job.
