[Diabolico]

Joel already posted the channel4 version of part of this (on the Maldini quit date thread), but I thought this version deserved posting as well-- Maldini makes a number of interesting comments about other topics in addition to that one:

ONLY THE BEST
3/27/2007 11:00:00 AM
According to Paolo Maldini it’s time for Milan to put their best foot forward, no settling for less than the best as they march through on two fronts

(Photo of Paolo Maldini celebrating his Milan-Messina goal on November 25, 2006)

Paolo Maldini was interviewed on last night’s Studio Milan show. He took this opportunity to comment on the record opening day ticket sales, with 26,239 tickets sold for the Milan-Bayern Champions League clash in just the first day: ‘It makes you understand how important this game is in a season like this one. We are not in the fight for the Italian league title, but we can take some satisfaction for ourselves in Europe. The silence of the curva fans section during the derby influenced things negatively. If the fans are there to support us it will be a positive thing.’

Maldini continued by speaking about his condition: ‘The knee that I had operated on last year is doing well, the other one is more or less in the same situation as the one that was operated on. I started the week well, working with the team despite the problems that presented themselves after the derby. We’ll see how it goes. I also went to see doctor Martens. As for whether or not I will have another operation that depends on the swelling. If it continues as it did last year, then it will be practically impossible to go ahead. In any case, this year has been richer and more intense as far as the games go and the minutes played compared to last year.

Milan’s primary objective for the season, other than first place, is the Champions League and Maldini commented on this: ‘Bayern are the same tough opponent as always, physically strong. However, I know the side well and I think that they are absolutely beatable as long as Milan are focused and in good form. As far as the focus goes there are no problems. As for our strength, we have recovered some important pieces and, in a game like this, you gather all the strength that you have. I am optimistic about the Champions League.’

Paolo then turned to the Azzurri and coach Roberto Donadoni, one of his former team-mates: ‘I saw Scotland play and Georgia didn’t deserve to lose. I don’t think that Italy will have any big problems. Certainly, the round is now more complicated and it’s difficult to recover. Other than that, there aren’t any other problems of rapport or otherwise. It is normal that a coach like Carlo Ancelotti could aspire to one day become the national coach, but this isn’t about Donadoni. Now, Donadoni is adapting to the high level of pressure that is put upon a national coach.’

There are two important games ahead of Milan, Roma and Bayern Munich: ‘I hope to be available for Roma, but Martens told me to forget about playing two games back to back. I would like to be on the bench against Roma anyway. Bayern Munich changed coaches, but they haven’t changed much else. On the other hand, Milan played a great season last year and perhaps we were superior last year. However, in this moment of the season Milan must show what they can do and we can’t be satisfied yet. We must do even more than what we have done up until now. In regards to fourth place, it is closer than it was at the beginning of the season. We are a few points away from Palermo. It is difficult because Lazio are fighting and Empoli isn’t giving up. However the team’s minimum objective is to arrive in fourth place, taking into consideration the point penalty and the hurried pre-season preparation.’

Then a word about the market: ‘We are hoping to sign Ronaldinho because playing with a champion is easier and it’s fun. I said the same thing about Ronaldo. I liked him a lot. He is a champion and was different from the players that we already had. We must not forget that he is coming from six months of being almost inactive. However, now he is training really well. He could be the turning point in our arrival in fourth place, while in the Champions League it’s up to us.’

The captain then spoke about another new signing from January, Leandro Grimi: ‘He comes from a completely different reality. He is adapting but it isn’t easy at the physical, tactical and competitive level. I can understand how difficult it is for him, seeing that we have twelve amazing defenders on the roster. However, he has decided to remain here. I think that he has learned a lot and next year he will have his cards to play.’

A.C. Milan - ONLY THE BEST