In different circumstances, Mark Birighitti could have been lining up for AZ Alkmaar tonight.
The Dundee United goalkeeper has revealed that he enjoyed a trial period with the Eredivisie outfit as a fresh-faced 15-year-old.
He made the 10,000-mile trip from Australia on his own, pursuing his dream of earning a contract from legendary Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who was AZ boss at the time.
Birighitti didn’t land a deal but remains grateful for the opportunity.
And he may just come back to haunt AZ.
“I came over for a week,” recalled Birighitti. “Louis van Gaal was the manager and they’d actually just moved into this place (AFAS Stadion). I was only 15 and I just stayed in a hotel round the corner. It was the first time I’d ever left Australia.
“I travelled over myself. Fair play to the club, they really looked after me. My mum and dad dropped me off at the airport and I flew over to Amsterdam.
“One of the guys from the club met me. I actually bumped into him in the dugout on Wednesday! I had a good chat with him and he remembers me.
“For me, it was a great experience. It was a step up in terms of quality, training and the speed they do things.”
Buffon meeting
Birighitti would ultimately end up playing in the Eredivisie, spending the 2017/18 campaign with NAC Breda.
Along the way, AZ battered NAC 5-0 at AFAS Stadion.
He laughed: “We played here and we had a horrendous time. We got smashed!”
After departing Breda, Birighitti went on to establish himself as one of Australia’s top stoppers, winning A-League goalkeeper of the year in the last two seasons with Central Coast Mariners.
And that opened up a unique opportunity for the die-hard Juventus fan.
“Juventus came out to Australia a few years ago and I actually had the chance to meet up with Buffon before the game,” he recalled. “He’s an absolute legend of the game.
“We had a general chit-chat. (Alessandro) Del Piero was in my team at the time and I asked him to sort out a catch up with Buffon!
“I said to him: ‘I love the guy, I idolise him.’ Fair play to him, he hooked me up with him after the game. It was a great half hour.”
Behich buzz
For friendships closer to home, Birighitti has expressed his delight after compatriot Aziz Behich was finally cleared to make his Dundee United debut against AZ.
“I know Aziz very well through the national team set-up,” continued Birighitti.
“He’s found it challenging since arriving at the club, in terms of getting his work permit. But now he’s got it, he’s buzzing and can’t wait to get started.
“Aziz has a lot of quality and has played at the highest level.
“He’s played in big leagues and in World Cups. To have a player like Aziz at the club, with his pedigree and quality; it’s a massive boost.”
And Behich has no doubt his pal will rise to the occasion on a huge European night for United.
“He’ll handle it no problems at all,” said Birighitti, without skipping a beat.
“I know Aziz’s character and personality, nothing will faze him.
“He’s been at the club now for a couple of weeks. He’s looked sharp in training and he’ll be ready to go. He’s in good condition and will hopefully put in a decent performance.”
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