Lothar Matthaus Quotes

I would like to do what Cristiano has done: start wide and go into the middle as a No. 10 or 9.

My perfect formation would be 4-3-3 with one holding and then the two going forward. I would be one of the ones going forward.

In this system, I've always played in the position behind the striker. I also don't enjoy being classed as a striker - I don't see myself as one.

I think there was a time where the target man went out of fashion and it was all about the small and quick striker.

It's true I play a little deeper for Real Madrid. I can push a little further forward for Colombia.

When you play the top sides you cannot afford to be as open as 4-4-2 can leave you. Consequently teams adapt their formation.

I'm happy to play as a centre forward or a second striker, like in the national team with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

The most important thing is to help the team to come in front of the goal with one-two passes, I drop down, or I give them space, because for defenders, it's always difficult to have a false nine because they don't have a direct player against them, so they don't know exactly what to do.

You have got to be one step ahead, as a striker, to create that space you need. Apart from the ball, when you're a striker, it is space that's your best friend. You need space.

I am a striker or at least a playmaker behind the front man, certainly not a wide man. But with Rome and Milan, I was only playing on the wings.

It's important for a striker to play in a position which is natural for him.

I played behind the main striker at Dortmund, but I usually play on the left with Japan.

You need two or three players who can do that - play behind the striker, on the right wing, the left wing... striker, maybe. If we have those, it's good for the team.

In my time at Milan, the club played with a 4-3-1-2 formation, and I was the player behind the two strikers. At Real, I play behind three. There is a greater defensive obligation, but I try to work around the area.

I play the number ten role but also off the side or deeper.

I hate false nines.

I think off the wing and just behind the striker are probably the two go-to positions, so to speak. I'm comfortable with playing both.

I just want to be able to be an attacking influence and have that effect further up the pitch; whether that's from an attacking midfield position or one of the wider positions coming in, I'm not too fussed.

Guardiola has a way of playing; he has a system, and he sticks to that.

Why shouldn't Harry Kane take corners? If he happens to be the best striker of a ball in the team and gives you the best delivery, why shouldn't he do it?

Let's face it, when you're a striker and the coach is playing you at left-back you know your time is up.

I say that if the team play well and use me in the right way... the goals will come.

I had to go step by step to get used to the training and to the system of Pep Guardiola.

The best place for Cristiano is not out on the wings. The best for him is to play in every position.

United are capable of setting up a low block and making it difficult, but they're also capable of coming out and pressing high.