Paolo Maldini - Il nostro Capitano! 40 years old today

[Aladino]

Thanks Diabolico I read this but forgot to put it in. Love Maldini, this won't be his last game, if we know Maldini he will make sure we will get through...
This is not a way to have your last C.L game... glory is what is needed!

FORZA MILAN, GRANDE MALDINI!

[Aladino]

Maldini's final ambition
Friday, 13 April 2007
by John Atkin
from Munich


Depending on who you believe, the secret to longevity might be a good wife, a lack of stress, red meat or even gin. Yet as AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini weighs up the prospect of a ninth UEFA Champions League semi-final, the 38-year-old is keen to put a different slant on things.

German confidence
A 2-0 victory against FC Bayern München saw the Rossoneri claim a last-four date with Manchester United FC, though the prospect had appeared decidedly bleak a week earlier. A late equaliser by Daniel Van Buyten at the San Siro had earned Bayern a 2-2 draw to put the Bundesliga side in the box seat for the second leg. It inspired one German television channel to bill the decider as "Die Nacht Der Bayern" (The night of Bayern), but this confidence was to prove unfounded. After weathering an early storm, Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi scored and a stellar defensive display orchestrated by Maldini saw them through.

'Great mentality'
"I approached the match in my usual positive way," Maldini said. "We knew we needed a win, but this team is blessed by players with a great mentality; they prove that every time. Now it is Manchester United - I think they were probably hoping to meet Bayern." The ashen look on the face of the attendant Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of the match at the Fußball Arena München suggested that assumption might well have some grounding. The United manager has good reason to fear the Italian side, who ended his team's campaign in the last 16 two seasons ago thanks to 1-0 wins, home and away.


'Not scared'
Sir Alex had borne a very different appearance 24 hours earlier as his charges routed Milan's Serie A rivals AS Roma 7-1. Not since Juventus lost 7-0 to Austrian champions Wiener SC in 1958 had an Italian side conceded so many goals in one match in the competition. Maldini is confident his team-mates will provide a sterner test. "Manchester United have grown in strength over the past few years, and Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are extremely impressive," he conceded. "It will be a difficult match, played at a great tempo. But we are not scared and we will go there in high spirits. What makes us strong is our great mentality, our determination. We are always ready when it counts."

Maldini name
Milan have been crowned European champions six times, and only once has there not been a Maldini in their ranks. Paolo's father Cesare was part of the victorious 1963 European Champion Clubs' Cup team while the current incarnation has collected four winners' medals - in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003 – during an unparalleled 23-year spell at the San Siro. Such is his legend that when he does hang up his boots the No3 shirt will be retired unless one of his sons plays for the club. Ominously for rivals hoping to see the back of the Maldini clan, Paolo's eldest child Christian, 13, is already on the Rossoneri's books. It is surely no accident that the Maldini name is an anagram of "di Milan" (of Milan).

'I love the atmosphere'
Maldini is not looking to bow out just yet, however, and has postponed much-needed surgery on a troublesome knee injury until the summer as he goes in pursuit of more silverware. But having won so much, what drives his ambitions for more? "I keep playing because I love the atmosphere," said the former Italy captain. "To play just one more semi-final on an English ground, with the atmosphere we will face there and the possibility of reaching another final gives me the strength to keep going."

'Very proud'
Any "possibility" of a final has become a virtual probability for Maldini over the years, and until last season's defeat by FC Barcelona, he had never lost a last-four fixture. "This is yet another [European Cup] semi-final for me, my ninth. It went well seven times and I hope I will be able to make it to eight. This time we have qualified as the only non-English team, and in the last 20 years we have always been there; it makes me feel very proud. We have been somewhere near the top of the pile for years, ever since 1988."

'In our grasp'
Maldini had made his Milan debut three years previously, against Udinese Calcio in January 1985, with the dawn of his career on the horizon. Two decades on he is eager for one last showpiece final – something that looked highly unlikely when the Rossoneri began their campaign seven months ago in the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal. "Last summer this target looked almost impossible, and now it is in our grasp," said Maldini. If the past 20 years have taught us anything it is that when Milan get a tentative hold on something, they tend to make it count.

Article come from uefa.com

Maldini always knows how to say the right thing, this legend is one that blows me away everytime he talks. And I love this club even more. Grande Maldini!

[Diabolico]

Great article! Always good to see his confidence.

[Aladino]

Maldini demands show of class
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
by Kevin Ashby
from Manchester

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While acknowledging that Manchester United FC have improved since their last UEFA Champions League meeting with AC Milan in 2005, Paolo Maldini warns that the Rossoneri are underestimated at any team's peril. "The fact we're in the semi-final shows our class," said the 38-year-old.

European glory
On the eve of the first leg at Old Trafford, Maldini sidestepped questions about a possible duel with Cristiano Ronaldo as comfortably as he has many an opponent during a 23-year career which has brought four winners' medals in club football's premier competition. The last came in 2003 when Milan overcame compatriots Juventus in the final at Old Trafford – the scene of Tuesday's game.

'Up to the task'
Milan returned to Manchester in 2005 and beat their hosts 1-0 en route to a 2-0 aggregate success in the first knockout round. Noting the Premiership leaders' subsequent improvement, Maldini said: "Manchester United are a better team now than a couple of years ago, particularly as some players have matured and developed like Ronaldo and [Wayne] Rooney. But there's no doubt we're up there with them and are up to the task."

Statement of intent
The former Italy captain feels Milan's 2-0 victory at FC Bayern München in the quarter-finals was as much a statement of intent as was United's 7-1 demolition of AS Roma. "When United saw our performance against Bayern they would certainly have thought that it would have been better to face them [Bayern] in the semi-finals than us. We have huge respect for Manchester United but no fear.

Pride
"They play wonderful football, especially here, so what happened against Roma will have no impact on our dressing room and how we approach the game. I'm proud to be here and be captain of my team. We're motivated by the fact we want to win the Champions League, which has been our main aim throughout this season. We have always been a leading club in Europe, and Italy, over the last 20 years and we want to show why."

'Great passion'
Maldini says his "great passion" for the game is what keeps him going in his 39th year, "and makes me want to keep on playing and winning things". Ensuring Ronaldo and Rooney stay quiet – as he did so comfortably in 2005 – may be key to adding to his trophy collection, although he reveals that Milan have no special plans for United's Portuguese tormentor-in-chief: "Ronaldo has everything – he's fast, good in the air, scores goals and is creative – but we don't man mark any players so, to a certain extent, he'll decide who marks him by where he is on the pitch."

Sir Alex praise
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had earlier singled Maldini out as his favourite European player of the last 15 years, highlighting a peerless display against Bayern in which the central defender "didn't make a tackle". Maldini's unerring knack of being in the right place at the right time will be tested to the extreme in Manchester, but he stresses – if needed – that there is life in the old legs yet. "Maybe I'm not as fast as I used to be but I'm still pretty quick," he said with a smile. Ronaldo has been warned.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved. l

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[bandini]

Only noticed this thread now, but I must say that he is one of the all time greatest IMO. A legend and such an exciting player to watch. One funny story: I'm sure it was Maldini (please correct me if I'm wrong) that complained once that the English stadiums didn't have hair dryers in the dressing rooms I'll never forget that.

[Diabolico]

I've never heard that story before! Man, that's classic!

[azzurri]

Maldini is an icon of Italian football. He will go down as 1 of the best defenders of all time. Class player also, never letting his head get to big for his shoulders. Although Im obviously not a Milan fan, Maldini has been 1 of my footballing idols since I was young.

[Diabolico]

Maldini: I can make it
Wednesday 25 April, 2007
Paolo Maldini assures he can recover in time for the Champions League semi-final with Manchester United.

The defender came off with a recurring knee injury at half-time in last night’s 3-2 first leg defeat at Old Trafford.

There had been reports the veteran would require surgery that’d end his season – perhaps even put an early end to his career – but Maldini is optimistic.

“I will do everything possible to be back for the second leg at San Siro on May 2 and maintain we have all the necessary conditions to do so,” he told the official Milan website.

Maldini and Gennaro Gattuso left the field with injuries during the game and he thinks that was the key to this loss.

“When Rino and I went off the pitch, I think United’s attitude and approach to the match changed,” he noted.

The Rossoneri had been leading 2-1 in Manchester only for a stoppage-time Wayne Rooney strike to seal the 3-2 final score.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

He is such a prefessional. And such an amazing leader. He is loved internationally by all. A legend, and a hero. He deserves one mroe crown before he retires

[D-Kin]

Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti hopes captain Paolo Maldini will recover in time for the Champions League tie with Manchester United.

The veteran Rossonero suffered a recurrence of his knee injury in the first leg at Old Trafford and the tactician is aware that the defender’s presence could be decisive.

“I would be glad to be able to field Maldini, his experience is fundamental for us,” said Ancelotti.

“Let’s hope he recovers, we will try until the end. A lot depends on the last training session, in these matches personality and experience count more than the physical condition,” continued the former midfielder.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

I am so excited by this I had to add it here, I have been waiting the whole day for Carlo to announce the sqaud.

MILAN-MANCHESTER: I CONVOCATI ROSSONERI
01/05/2007
I 23 convocati del Milan per la grande sfida di San Siro:
PORTIERI: Dida, Kalac, Storari;
DIFENSORI: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic;
CENTROCAMPISTI: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf; ATTACCANTI: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira. | |

Maldini has made teh sqaud! YESSSSSSSS! I hope he plays, knowing him he wil be more determined than ever. SEMPRE IL NOSTRO CAPITANO!!!

[Diabolico]

FUCK YES!!!

This is fantastic, simply fantastic news. Making the squad does not mean making the starting lineup of course, but if he is in the squad-- and he is!-- I'm very certain he'll be on the pitch.

FORZA MALDINI!!!

[Aladino]

Not good news:

Maldini makes Man Utd date Tuesday 1 May, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paolo Maldini is in Milan’s squad for the Champions League clash with Manchester United, but doubts remain on whether he will play.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted in today’s Press conference that the only player still facing injury concerns was the captain.


He has been included in the list of 23 players named for Wednesday’s semi-final second leg, but it’s reported his chances of actually starting the match stand at just 20 per cent.


Maldini has been struggling with a recurring knee problems for over a year and limped off at half-time in the first leg, which ended 3-2 at Old Trafford.


It is far more likely that Georgian international Kakha Kaladze will play in central defence alongside Alessandro Nesta.


Ancelotti has hinted that Pippo Inzaghi will be the lone forward supported by Kaka and Clarence Seedorf.



Milan squad: Dida, Kalac, Storari; Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira

[Diabolico]

Well, shit.

But I'd rather have him on the bench than not have him there at all, just for moral support if nothing else.