Paolo Maldini - the farewell

It looks like it is the end of an era in Milan, and I don't speak about cycles or teams, but about the fact that we are going to join all the other clubs in the world in this new era started in the 2000s ...

Seeing "fans" able to waste and almost make crying Maldini for his last game in San Siro is something we can't accept, but it's simply the start of this new era: no place for emotion, no respect towards the players, all for business.

Milan was (I use past tense because we just saw this time is over) an exception nowadays, the end of this game just showed we are now like all other clubs ...

I'm just afraid I could dislike the next years and just stop watching football if such a thing happens again.

To shed some light over the "drama" between Maldini and a (small) part of the Curva. I'll give you some insight, but keep in mind I'm translating from norwegian that was translated from italian, so just keep in mind its rough translations and can be wrong.

The banners that the tifosi put out said something like this:
- "There's only one captain" (with a 6 - Baresi shirt hanging over it)
- "Thank you Captain. On the field you were a great player, but you lacked the respect for those who made you rich."
- "Feel the gratefulness from those you called disloyal bums for your fantastic 25 year career"

If you dont understand where this anger comes from, read this link: http://acmilancalcio-milanista.blogs...si-or-are.html

Lets remember that this was only a small part of the Curva, and their anger over these statements are understandable. However, this was course not the time or place for displaying their anger, and its a sad thing that Il Capitanos farewell became a bittersweet one. He was visibly upset with this, and is probably why he "shoved" Leonardo away when he hugged him. Most likely Leo told him ignore these banners, but Paolo let it irritate him.

And again, I will not guarantee that any of what i wrote is correct.

I'm no Maldini freak and I don't worship him on the level of a majority of Milan fans out there. However, today's horrific events felt like a punch in the chest that's left me unable to breathe. Absolutely appalling.

Never have I felt more embarrassed at being a Milan fan. And to think that tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of the Istanbul meltdown. It just gets better.

Originally Posted by MVBasten

To shed some light over the "drama" between Maldini and a (small) part of the Curva. I'll give you some insight, but keep in mind I'm translating from norwegian that was translated from italian, so just keep in mind its rough translations and can be wrong.

The banners that the tifosi put out said something like this:
- "There's only one captain" (with a 6 - Baresi shirt hanging over it)
- "Thank you Captain. On the field you were a great player, but you lacked the respect for those who made you rich."
- "Feel the gratefulness from those you called disloyal bums for your fantastic 25 year career"

If you dont understand where this anger comes from, read this link: http://acmilancalcio-milanista.blogs...si-or-are.html

Lets remember that this was only a small part of the Curva, and their anger over these statements are understandable. However, this was course not the time or place for displaying their anger, and its a sad thing that Il Capitanos farewell became a bittersweet one. He was visibly upset with this, and is probably why he "shoved" Leonardo away when he hugged him. Most likely Leo told him ignore these banners, but Paolo let it irritate him.

And again, I will not guarantee that any of what i wrote is correct.

Still man, you just cant do something like that to a guy that spent his life at this club. Unbeliveable

Did anyone see the pro-Sheva banner that hung from the curva as well? That's just as abysmal as their treatment of Paolo.

Originally Posted by MVBasten

To shed some light over the "drama" between Maldini and a (small) part of the Curva. I'll give you some insight, but keep in mind I'm translating from norwegian that was translated from italian, so just keep in mind its rough translations and can be wrong.

The banners that the tifosi put out said something like this:
- "There's only one captain" (with a 6 - Baresi shirt hanging over it)
- "Thank you Captain. On the field you were a great player, but you lacked the respect for those who made you rich."
- "Feel the gratefulness from those you called disloyal bums for your fantastic 25 year career" In 25 years of your glorious career you have heard thanks from people who you have called mercenaries and peasants

If you dont understand where this anger comes from, read this link: http://acmilancalcio-milanista.blogs...si-or-are.html

Lets remember that this was only a small part of the Curva, and their anger over these statements are understandable. However, this was course not the time or place for displaying their anger, and its a sad thing that Il Capitanos farewell became a bittersweet one. He was visibly upset with this, and is probably why he "shoved" Leonardo away when he hugged him. Most likely Leo told him ignore these banners, but Paolo let it irritate him.

And again, I will not guarantee that any of what i wrote is correct.

Those translations are pretty accurate . However, that last one was a bit wrong, so I have put the correct translation in there for you.

I agree with most of what you say to be honest. I can understand their frustrations, but it wasn't the time or the place. Unfortunately, the Ultra's never forget.

Originally Posted by Blacktop

Did anyone see the pro-Sheva banner that hung from the curva as well? That's just as abysmal as their treatment of Paolo.

What's even more strange is that this is somewhat contradictory to the banner they held in protest to Silvio - "For years you have bought rubbish.". Yet they then claim "Sheva is not for sale", despite him being an example of the rubbish he has bought in recent years.

i cried last night
to see maldini, on his last match, ac milan had awfully lost
maldini is just like the last godfather for milan, after his leaving there will be no place for emotion, no respect towards the players.
we love you maldini...

Originally Posted by Astafjevs

What's even more strange is that this is somewhat contradictory to the banner they held in protest to Silvio - "For years you have bought rubbish.". Yet they then claim "Sheva is not for sale", despite him being an example of the rubbish he has bought in recent years.

Exactly. That, plus (and I'm paraphrasing) "Carlo, play Sheva" "Sheva un grande uomo & calciatore," and so on. It particularly irks me because they seem to have conveniently forgotten the ignominious way Sheva left Milan to begin with.

The Curva has had these vomit-inducing pro-Sheva banners all season, and it's absolutely pathetic. They inspired him so much that he scored one goal in 25 UEFA Cup and Serie A appearances.

Yep, he's not for sale, all right, because no team in their right mind would pony up for him.

someone explain, did the Curva Sud do this or a section from the Curva Sud?

Still cannot believe the way the players played yesterday, no passion, no heart, no will to win.

Originally Posted by Astafjevs

What's even more strange is that this is somewhat contradictory to the banner they held in protest to Silvio - "For years you have bought rubbish.". Yet they then claim "Sheva is not for sale", despite him being an example of the rubbish he has bought in recent years.

If they wrote "Sheva is not for sell", that meaned they don't want Sheva ... as he is not a player from Milan. Ironical banners ??
EDIT: Just read Blacktop post, so it wasn't ironical ... do they know the player is owned by Chelsea ?

Anyway, like everyone, why yesterday, the could have booed or whistled him for 4 years, but yet they only chose his last home game ...

Originally Posted by Bram

Does anybody know why on earth some fans make banners against Paolo ??? It's a disgrace !! I'm disgusted that he had to say goodbye like that ... and with a loss also ...
I hope that it was a minority of the fans ?
And why was there no special tifo before the game ?

I think MVB got the general gist of it. A few details have come out and originally I thought it was to do with Capello's second time in charge when I think Maldini was advocating change in the side (basically looking to change some of the old guard). However, this was a minor thing that I just barely remember hearing about.

However, Maldini over the years has criticised some fans over their behaviour. There's the example that MVB gave, and I think there was another time, again during Capello's second era when fans turned (I remember Capello coming out to say something like it wasn't the right time to say those things). I don't think Maldini's always been too fond of the curva in general, and honestly I agree with him anyway. These days especially the ultras are nothing more than a group of thugs trying to impose their "power" in the football world.

Just to confirm, I've read that it was only a specific ultras group that put up the banner and insulted him, not the whole Curva Sud.

Still stunned by the disgracefulness by some of the Ultras. Unbelievable.

J

Originally Posted by GeoTav

If they wrote "Sheva is not for sell", that meaned they don't want Sheva ... as he is not a player from Milan. Ironical banners ??

Nope. They've kissed his ass with such banners quite often this season.