Maldini

[cymrococh]

Absolute legend, one of the true greats. 8 European Cup finals for f*ck's sake.

 

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsle...2072100,00.html

Milan's captain, Paolo Maldini, will put a knee operation on hold to play in his eighth European Cup final. The veteran defender missed Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Manchester United after failing to recover from injury. "Had we lost against Manchester United, I would have undergone knee surgery," said Maldini. "But I really want to try to play my eighth Champions League final."

The 38-year-old, who has won the trophy four times, will be eager to lead his team on to the pitch against Liverpool in the final, hoping to avoid the same fortune experienced in Istanbul in 2005. Milan lost in a penalty shoot-out against Rafael Benítez's side, having given away a 3-0 half-time lead after Maldini had scored Milan's opener with the fastest goal in Champions League final history, 51 seconds after kick-off. "I have thought about the final of Istanbul for at least a year, even though two years have gone by," said Maldini. "Liverpool are a team that have no fear and I hope to be available."

 

Clarence Seedorf, who scored on Wednesday and took the team to dinner in his restaurant after the match, said: "We are happy to keep the name of Italian football high after some difficult periods. I had absolutely no doubts about the result of this game. I was sure we were going to win."

Italy's sports press hailed Milan as the masters of European football yesterday after their emphatic victory. "Great, great, great," ran the front-page headline of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Milan gave United a "true footballing lesson", continued the paper, before warning Liverpool they could not expect another collapse like the one Milan suffered in 2005.

 

"This time in the final in Athens they will find a different team . . . with a new determination and a hunger for success that dates back two years from that never-forgotten defeat in Istanbul."

 

Corriere dello Sport hailed a "Marvellous Milan". The 11th European Cup final in the club's history - and eighth since 1989 - was further confirmation that they, more than any club in the past 20 years, could claim to be the masters of the continent's top club competition. It is an incredible record, a technical miracle that repeats itself year after year.

[Snookie]

The greatest left back to ever play the game without question. And the second best is a very long way behind.

[Rich Gobey]

The greatest left back to ever play the game without question. And the second best is a very long way behind.

 

Better than Bjornebye?

 

Mentalist.

[Mike]

The greatest left back to ever play the game without question. And the second best is a very long way behind.

 

do you work for Italian Sky?

[floyd]

The greatest left back to ever play the game without question. And the second best is a very long way behind.

But he hasn't scored the winner in TWO European Cup finals, like a certain left back

[matty]

Inter would have played more than that, had they had a decent side.

[drdooom]

Inter would have played more than that, had they had a decent side.

 

So would Plymoth Argyle, had they had a decent side.

[Bailo]

Inter would have played more than that, had they had a decent side bribe.

[Snookie]

Better than Bjornebye?

 

Mentalist.

 

And Nicky Tanner was obviously better than Baresi?

 

do you work for Italian Sky?

 

Seriously though, can you name anyone (ignoring club loyalties) who was better?

[John am Rhein]

Italy's sports press hailed Milan as the masters of European football yesterday after their emphatic victory. "Great, great, great," ran the front-page headline of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Milan gave United a "true footballing lesson", continued the paper, before warning Liverpool they could not expect another collapse like the one Milan suffered in 2005.

 

LOL. We'll consider ourselves warned!

 

Lucky we got this warning because I'm sure without it Benitez would have been assuming we could afford to concede at least 3 before half time.

 

 

The greatest left back to ever play the game without question. And the second best is a very long way behind.

 

Who would it be? Gerry Byrne? Ray Wilson? Nilton Santos? Giancito Facchetti?

[Gilps]

Who would it be? Gerry Byrne? Ray Wilson? Nilton Santos? Giancito Facchetti?

 

Brehme?

[Bootle Buck]

I'd rank him right behind this man in Legendary European Cup winning LB's

 

 

At least when it comes to great banners

 

[Mike]

ALAN f***ING KENNEDY. the unlikely man again.

[Snookie]

Who would it be? Gerry Byrne? Ray Wilson? Nilton Santos? Giancito Facchetti?

 

My father raves about Facchetti but he still thinks Maldini was the better player.

[Stevie H]

lizarazu is worth a shout. but maldini's one of the best players i've ever seen, not just one of the best defenders.