Former Real Madrid first-team coach Santiago Solari has revealed his love affair for English football began when he faced Leeds United back in 2001, when playing for the Spanish giants.
Solari first went up against an English side when United faced Real, 13-time winners of the Champions League, back in 2001, an occasion which saw Madrid edge Leeds out, winning 3-2.
From that moment on, Solari's love for English football grew ever fonder.
Speaking to MailOnline, Solari, who left his role as Real manager back in March, said: "They had a great side - [Mark] Viduka, [Rio] Ferdinand, [Olivier] Dacourt, [Alan] Smith.
"I also played against Manchester United in the 2002/03 quarter-finals. They were two beautiful games with many goals."
The 2000/01 season, of course, saw the Whites reach the semi-finals of the Champions League before being beaten by Valencia 3-0 on aggregate over two legs.
