Dil dil
23-10-2004, 15:40
Maldini: Milan is Calcio Capital
23.10 || scharatz || $source
Source: Football Italia
Paolo Maldini claims Sunday’s derby showdown will prove the San Siro is “the Capital of football,” but Adriano isn’t giving him sleepless nights.
“This is going to be the 258th Derby della Madonnina in all competitions,” noted the legendary captain, “so we could say that Milan is the Capital of European football. Even when I retire and merely become a fan, this match will be the centre-point of the season.”
The Rossoneri have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last four Serie A meetings, but their opponents have found new verve with Coach Roberto Mancini.
“We are both going into this game on level terms, even if we have the best record over the last few years,” added Maldini. “It’s still early in the Scudetto chase, but it can only be a crucial moment as Juventus and the two Milan clubs are the only ones who can take the title.”
Both teams will be particularly fired up after earning impressive victories in the Champions’ League midweek – Milan beating Barcelona and Inter demolishing Valencia 5-1.
“It’s not a new experience for me to face a truly strong Nerazzurri side,” assured the veteran. “After all, I played against Giovanni Trapattoni’s record-breaking team in 1989. Mancini has certainly improved their style of play, but we have to wait and see what the results are.”
He also faced Ronaldo during his heyday and insists that after that experience, Adriano is not giving him sleepless nights.
“In his first year in Serie A Ronaldo was unstoppable,” he recalls. “He had an extraordinary speed of movement that I’ve never seen before or since. Adriano has strength combined with technique, so you have to use your head with him. If you just go for a physical battle, you’ll come off worse.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit has been struggling in defence, but the return to full fitness of Jaap Stam shored them up for a clean sheet against the mighty Barcelona.
“It is hard playing out wide on the left at my age,” noted 36-year-old Maldini, “but I have plenty of time to recover before Sunday night. In any case, this won’t be a battle between Adriano and our defence, or Andriy Shevchenko and their back line. This is going to be a clash of two great
23.10 || scharatz || $source
Source: Football Italia
Paolo Maldini claims Sunday’s derby showdown will prove the San Siro is “the Capital of football,” but Adriano isn’t giving him sleepless nights.
“This is going to be the 258th Derby della Madonnina in all competitions,” noted the legendary captain, “so we could say that Milan is the Capital of European football. Even when I retire and merely become a fan, this match will be the centre-point of the season.”
The Rossoneri have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last four Serie A meetings, but their opponents have found new verve with Coach Roberto Mancini.
“We are both going into this game on level terms, even if we have the best record over the last few years,” added Maldini. “It’s still early in the Scudetto chase, but it can only be a crucial moment as Juventus and the two Milan clubs are the only ones who can take the title.”
Both teams will be particularly fired up after earning impressive victories in the Champions’ League midweek – Milan beating Barcelona and Inter demolishing Valencia 5-1.
“It’s not a new experience for me to face a truly strong Nerazzurri side,” assured the veteran. “After all, I played against Giovanni Trapattoni’s record-breaking team in 1989. Mancini has certainly improved their style of play, but we have to wait and see what the results are.”
He also faced Ronaldo during his heyday and insists that after that experience, Adriano is not giving him sleepless nights.
“In his first year in Serie A Ronaldo was unstoppable,” he recalls. “He had an extraordinary speed of movement that I’ve never seen before or since. Adriano has strength combined with technique, so you have to use your head with him. If you just go for a physical battle, you’ll come off worse.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit has been struggling in defence, but the return to full fitness of Jaap Stam shored them up for a clean sheet against the mighty Barcelona.
“It is hard playing out wide on the left at my age,” noted 36-year-old Maldini, “but I have plenty of time to recover before Sunday night. In any case, this won’t be a battle between Adriano and our defence, or Andriy Shevchenko and their back line. This is going to be a clash of two great