Former Italy and Juventus coach Marcello Lippi has likened Andrea Pirlo to Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

Lippi coached both players during his career.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I never thought I would see Zizou on the bench, one night he told me he would try to become one. He went to see Real training, then the Castilla bench, then Ancelotti's assistant ... impressive parallel with Pirlo saying the same things to me: he looked around for a couple of years and then told me he wanted to become a coach."

On Real's Champions League clash with Inter Milan, Lippi continued: "Tonight's challenge comes at a particular moment for both teams who are not at their best.

"Inter is just a problem of results because they are playing well. On the bench the two coaches reflect their identities as a footballer. Zidane had the ability to communicate with a gesture.

"He does the same on the bench and reminds me of Pirlo. (Antonio) Conte was a generous player and gave everything in every situation. He is a battery that recharges itself and with the energy of others."