Perhaps, but I think for us the scenario is even more unthinkable because his father played for Milan, he played for Milan, made his debut at 16, captained Milan, captained his country and is MILAN. I understand that Redondo is your symbol but without sounding high-handed, his leaving Real is nothing like Maldini leaving Milan. Wait and see what the fans do in reaction because I can tell you that if there was ever any doubt about Maldini being at Milan for life, there wouldn't be enough money in the world to save Berlusconi and his cronies from a severe beating. What Real think of Raul is a fairer idea of what Maldini is to us.

 

I could hardly imagine Maldini leaving Milan.
But I could hardly imagine Roberto Donadoni leaving Milan, and he did, for 1 and a half season to Metrostars in the MLS????
I hated it when Chelsea tried to confirm a few months ago that Maldini was supposed to have said that he was interested in signing for them.

 

Redondo is Real Madrid for life

Well, you tried but Fernando was not even tempted at going to you. He will stay for now (you never know, Lazio could use some Argentinians )

So if you want yu can delete this topic because it has made its point

R

 

Right now, Maldini IS Milan. Redondo leaving Mdrid isn't even 1/100 of what Maldini is leaving Milan. Nesta is fast becoming that way for Lazio and I'm sure Totti will be like that for Roma too.
In Donnadoni's days Baresi was the Face of Milan, so seeing Donnadoni leave wasn't that massive.

 

Maldini leaving milan would be insane: As an individual player he means to much to this team..When I heard that he was also considering an end with the national that was pretty scary as well. He means to much to MILAN.You guys are really lucky to have a player like him.

 

answer:never in my life

 

Maldini is Forever in Milan!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cesare, Paolo, the next is Cristiano Maldini (Paolo's son), and then
Henry Maldini that's me

 

Hey, tifosi, our captain is set to make history....or am I the only one who has been counting? :depress:



Emotional night for Maldini and Trapattoni
By Simon Evans


MILAN, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Italy captain Paolo Maldini and coach Giovanni Trapattoni face an emotional World Cup qualifier against Romania on Saturday.

Maldini will become his country's most capped when he makes his 113th appearance, beating Dino Zoff's record.

Trapattoni will be making his home debut as coach. Like Maldini, he will do so at the San Siro where he made his Serie A debut as a player.

It is seven years since Italy played at the San Siro and Trapattoni is delighted at the choice of venue. ``I feel at home at the San Siro. I began my career as a player and as a coach with AC Milan. Later, I enjoyed success there as coach of Inter.

The stadium remains home for Maldini who has played his entire career with Milan. He admitted it will be a moving experience to become the longest-serving wearer of the blue shirt in front of his own supporters.

``It is going to be emotional. I can't pretend that it is just another game, it is like making a debut again,'' said Maldini.

DISAPPOINTING

But after a disappointing 2-2 draw in Budapest against Hungary in their opening group eight qualifier, Maldini is well aware that he and his team cannot afford to be distracted by festivities.

``What kind of celebration would it be if we don't beat Romania? No, we cannot afford to do as we like. The draw in Budapest means there can only be one result for us -- three points,'' added the Italy captain.

The San Siro crowd may be given an additional cause for celebration with AC Milan wing-back Francesco Coco in line for his Italy debut on the left side of midfield.

Coco has been in stunning form for Milan in the Champions League and he could prove to be the long-term solution to a problem position in the Italian team.

Trapattoni's only major selection doubt is the long running issue of whether to play Alessandro Del Piero in attack with his Juventus team mate Filippo Inzaghi or whether to choose the more robust AS Roma forward Marco Delvecchio.

Romania, who Italy beat in the quarter-finals of Euro 2000, will be without injured strikers Adrian Ilie and Ioan Vladoiu and coach Ladislau Boloni admitted they will be missed.

``Both are huge losses for my team. But we have enough good strikers for that match,'' said Boloni who will choose from Viorel Moldovan of Nantes, Adrian Mutu of Verona and Stuttgart striker Ionel Ganea of Stuttgart.

Boloni, who replaced Emerich Jenei after the Euro 2000 defeat by the Italians, says his side will be looking to attack.

``We don't go to Milan for a goalless draw. It's important to score at San Siro even if the local supporters will not greet Romanian players with flowers,'' he said referring to Gheorghe Hagi's appalling challenge on Italian midfielder Antonio Conte at Euro 2000.

The Romanian coach ruled out any man-to-man marking on danger men such as Francesco Totti.

``All of the Italians are dangerous. You cannot put 10 players to mark 10 opponents,'' Boloni said.

Probable line-ups:

Italy: Francesco Toldo; Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini; Angelo Di Livio, Demetrio Albertini, Stefano Fiore, Francesco Coco; Francesco Totti; Filippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Del Piero.

Romania: Bogdan Stelea; Dan Petrescu, Liviu Ciobotariu, Miodrag Belodedici, Iulian Filipescu, Cristian Chivu; Catalin Munteanu, Constantin Galca, Ionut Lupescu, Dorinel Munteanu; Viorel Moldovan.

 

If I'm not wrong, Trapattoni has 112 caps either!!

About the game, this would be very interesting. Maldini will mark Petrescu when Romania is attacking... What great show, watching two slicky and skillful players like them in hte field.
And I hope, Trapattoni would replace Fiore with Ambrosini and and Di Livio with Gattuso in second half, so Italy's midfield would be filled with 4 Milan players...

Forza Milan!
Forza the best ever, Maldini...

 

You are not the only one ,Debs.I've been waiting for this event so long. Italy must win,otherwise it will be a bitter disappointment to our captain.

Probably line-ups:
Toldo
Cannavaro Nesta Maldini
Gattuso Albertini Ambrossini Coco
Totti
Inzaghi Delvecchio

At least the line-ups above is what Trap has said and I hope he won't change.

Good luck to Italy and our beloved captain, Maldini

 

Our captain was showing some nervous anticipation before the azzurri game, as there was a little confusion about the award he was to receive for his 113th cap. 3 of his former National coaches were present to congratulate him--Maldini, Sacchi and Zoff. Son Christian was wearing an azzurri jersey with the number 113 on the back. Post-game interview was nice as well--the man remains humble, enthused about his career and future, and a real gem in Milan's cap! Halftime saw an interview with Franco Baresi too!

Mialn featured big in the game--Maldini, Albertini and Coco started...then Gatusso subbed in in the 2nd half...not a bad showing,a nd the hometown crowd loved it!

3-0 Italy....next up...Georgia on Tuesday....

 

Italy as a whole looked very good. It's too bad they don't play with such flair and passion every game. The team was creative and attacking, while strong in the defense. A very positive experience.

 

Yes it was great to hear from Baresi. I miss seeing him play for l'Azzuri. Milan had several players playing but the only one who truly played great(as always) was Maldini. Coco had a decent debut, Albertini was invisible and Gattuso was playing pretty bad.
What are you on about Daeone? Italia never play attacking flair-filled calcio but we always play with 100% passion, this game was no exception. It was the typical Italian game played to perfection. We always start off very offensive and then settle into the catenaccio after 1 0r 2 early goals. This game was very similar to the game we had against Romania in euro2000 except we scored more and gave them less chances.

 

I guess I'm refering to the kind of crap Italy can pull like the 0-0 draw with Holland at Euro 2000. I can't stand it when they play for the draw and the penalty shoot-out. I didn't mean to doubt the passion, because Italy has it in abundance. But to me, the passion is diminished when they play not to lose and not to win. Yesterday's game was refreshing, much like the game they played with France in the final of Euro 2000. Italy is good enough to play to win and not resort to the infernal catenaccio, which is essentially trying to prevent a loss instead of trying to win a game.

 

I am sick of you guys bashing Cattenaccio.

Cattenaccio is leading everyone in the world besides germany and Brasil to the tune of 3 World Cups.

Cattenaccio is Italy's way. And in case you guys didn't know Saturdays game was typical cattenaccio. early goal/goals and then calm control of the rest of the game and mabye another goal on the break away close to the end.

And that was Totti's goal.

typical cattenaccio. if you don't appreciate say so.....it is not boring to me. you cannot universally determine what is boring.

I personally enjoyed that game against Holland the most of all of Italy's games in Euro2000.

I am proud of that game because i know if it was Italy doing the attacking we would have scored against that team of mental sissies called Holland.

GRANDE ITALIA!!!!!!!!

For me it was agood match and its good for Milan to have Coco play. Also Debs.......you said in teh Italy forum that Inzaghi didn't pass alot.....that is not true. he passed many many times to Coco on teh wing.

COCO IS DA BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Can just agree again with you, ilTAZZ. Cattenaccio rules!

It is nice to see that Coco has played such a great debut. He will become a important playere, for both Milan and Italy, I am sure about this.

 

If you're so sure Italy could have scored so easily against Holland, then why the hell didn't they? It would have been much more satisfying than watching them fart around with the ball for 120 minutes just so they could reach a penalty shootout. I understand the philosophy behind catenaccio, but sometimes Italy doesn't even bother to play offense. The game has two sides, offense and defense. Italy should pay as much attention to offense as they do defense. If they attacked a little more they would probably never lose. Italy definitely has the players to score. So why not use them, like they did against Romania, in every game they play?

 

first of all... great night to be a milan fan, we live in a moment of history... and I'm proud of our dear captain.
now, if we were speaking about the game against holland, remember.... Italy was playing with 9 players (oopps! 10). they were playing to survive. besides, playing defense is not as bad as others might have thought. I enjoyed it.
ciao!

[Edited by River on 09-10-2000 at 17:28]

 

daeone, you simply have to realise that a game with offense and flair as priority is just not our game. If that's what you want to see then I hate to break it to you but Italia is not the team you should be watching. Italian players aborn with Catenaccio as a mindset and I doubt it will change. It may be boring to some, but thats how we play and I'm proud of it.

 

Come on, guys, Holland was one game, and we had to struggle to stay alive even tho UEFA threw everything they had AGAINST us. So what if it wasn't a pretty game...it's over, it's history, we got further at EURO 2000 than ANYONE ever predicted we would.

Albertini invisible??? Ummmm....not from what I saw! I lost count of how many balls he stole and got to a team mate, etc. Why always the discussion about Albertini--he's not a flair player, he's that solid little engine that keeps things under control.

You know what struck me? I have no idea if Trap meant to do this, or if I'm just reading into it but...the dramatic license of Maldini's 113th game and Coco's debut...at San Siro...

 

Hey, I know that many many people are against Catenaccio ,hate Italy and try to reproach and speak scornfully of them as much as they can.I am sad of hearing some people seeking to speak bad of Italy. Many commentators confer expressions such as " anti-artistic" ," the soccer style of the 60s is threatening the ascending the throne of the attacking football" on them and it is unknown when comes the time the people stop assailing Maldini and his team-mates. These are ,one may thinks, sort of insults .Please respect the way they play. They are playing with what they have and what they think best to fit them , and it is justifiable for them to go on their way.Otherwise, where can we procure generations of well-known defenders?Brazil can proud of outstanding forwards like Pele ,Ronaldo;France is the fatherland of perfect leaders like Platini, Zidane.Speciality of Italy is defenders such as Gentile , Baresi and now , Maldini,Nesta,Cannavaro.Practical Italians
do know what they should do with their men.Beautifully playing means nothing unless accompanied by success.Still vivid are the Holland leason in 1974 and 1978 and the Brazil leason in 1982 and 1986.

I understand what they do is right and don't feel alone when defending their catenaccio among a forest of cutting criticisms.In Euro 2000 , Squadra Azzura lost , but they could hold their heads high . They are heroes and they have made the whole Europe admire.

Thank you Italy for all.Please love them.They are brave men. Squadra Azzura will be rebuilt with new players. Everything is ready.And they will keep on making Italian football become a powerful symbol.As usual...as ever..

FORZA ITALY
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BELOVED CAPTAIN , PAOLO MALDINI

[Edited by paloma on 09-10-2000 at 18:50]

 

Yes that's true, many people slag the Italian game as boring and negative. Well no-one can really decide what is the standard for a boring game. The semi-final game against Holland was called boring by most, but I didn't mind it, I love to see Italia in control and playing with good organisation. The Olympic team were playing a massively disorganised style and look where it got them?
People may find our way boring, well that's fair enough. There's a simple solution if they are bothered by it, either change teams, or change channel(if watching it on TV) .
Debs, I know as a Milan fan you will strongly defend your players but on sundays game Albertini was not doing much. I don't wanna start an argument but all I saw from him was abit of tackling and a few free kicks. Same as in the other qualifying game. He has always been one of my favourite players nel Azzuri since he's one I grew up with, but in these last 2 games he hasn't really continued on with the albertini we saw at Euro2000.

 

Give me a break. I have been a fan Italian football for a long time, but to claim that you actually enjoy watching them pass the ball around with no other purpose than to waste time is ridiculous. Italy will never be Brazil, but that's not my point. Italian football is based on strong defense and a hard midfield. You can still have that and actually try and score a damn goal. Anybody who claims to enjoy soccer without any offense what so ever is lying to themselves. Now, Italy doesn't play such negative football all the time. But, they do when they feel outmatched or the stakes are very high. Milan's performance at Leeds in this years CL also illustrates my point. We didn't even try to score. Leeds played tough and controlling but also shot at the goal! Catenaccio doesn't equal negative, but is sures seems that way some times.

To reinforce my original point, Italy played a great game against Romania and it was nice to see some creativity from the talent they have.

 

Toro, I've no clue if you are referring to the game 2 Sunday's ago, which would have been the Serie A season opener which I didn't get to see, or last Saturday's azzurri game. If it's the azzurri game, then someone else was wearing the #4 jersey, stealing the balls and so on. But then yes, as a Milan fan I was watching how my players did perhaps more closely than some of the others.

Must we argue boring vs...whatever?? Sonme of us simply enjoy any chance we get to watch Italy play, some games may be more satisfying than others but if the result is in Italy's favor, I won't complain. Pretty doesn't always win games. I know where some people's heads are, they always want and expect perfection but...in playing a game, it just doesn't always happen that way.

The azzurri simply have a special place in MY heart--and this is merely speaking for myself--b/c it was thru them that I became an AC Milan fan.

[Edited by Debs on 10-10-2000 at 11:59]

 

I never said anything about being pretty or flambouyant. I'm simply talking about paying a third the attention to offense as is paid to defense. I think the emergence of Totti might help in this area because he is a creative midfielder. Creative, in the sense of creating offensive possibilities, not dancing around and making moves. Italy can be conservative as they want, but if they played against all teams like they play Romania, they would be unstoppable. I have watched games where Italy doesn't do anything positive. There is nothing interesting in that. I understand the joy of watching anything football related. I live in Florida, for god's sake, where I'm lucky to see any football on network tv. But that doesn't excuse uninspired play. Hell, I love to see any picture of Laetitia Casta, but I don't want to see her wiping her ass!