Maldini aiming for 'grand' finale Saturday 14 October, 2006
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Paolo Maldini insists he wants to play his 1,000th game before retiring and urged Milan to scrap the traditional Italian pre-match ritiro.
“If I feel good, then I’ll keep on going,” the 38-year-old told the 'Gazzetta dello Sport'. This is his record 23rd Serie A season, all with the Rossoneri, and his contract expires in June, 2007.
“The last problem between Milan and myself is the signature on a bit of paper. Now I am not remotely convinced I’ll retire at the end of the term. My only concern is whether I can play consistently and, if I can, then I will continue.”
Few deserve the title of ‘living legend’ more than Maldini, who first pulled on this club’s jersey in Serie A on January 20, 1985.
He managed only 14 League appearances last season due to a recurring right knee problem, but finally seems to be back on track.
“I am physically fine and the recovery plan we set out after the operation in April has been respected. I won’t set a date for a decision over my retirement, as I’ve no rush. I love Milan and my work, while the club has faith in me. When I got injured I never thought about retiring early, I just focused on recovery and that’s what I’m doing now.”
The captain has already made history with a record 126 Italy caps and 585 Serie A appearances, but has a new target.
“I have played 962 official games in my career and I’m aiming for the 1,000. It won’t be easy to reach it before the end of May, but I’d really like to hit that milestone without having to wait for next season.”
Maldini is the ‘senator’ of the Milan locker room and revealed a request that could change Italian football.
The defender was pleased with Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s proposal to scrap the pre-match hotel stays that are common in the peninsula to help players focus on the game without outside distractions.
“We talked about it and are aware it could be a very important chance for us. The team is ready, the club is ready. The only doubts are to do with the media and fans around us, as the first defeat would immediately be blamed on the lack of a ritiro.
“We’ve nothing to prove, as in 2003 we won the Coppa Italia without a single ritiro. Our idea is to make it voluntary – those who want somewhere quiet to sleep the night before can stay at the Milanello camp, those who prefer to spend it with their families can do that.”
Ancelotti: Goals will come Saturday 14 October, 2006
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Carlo Ancelotti isn’t concerned at Milan’s three consecutive 0-0 draws, assuring they’ll score at Sampdoria this evening.
“I’m not worried about our forwards,” insisted the Coach. “We will be able to get goals again. It’s inevitable with four excellent strikers at our disposal.”
The Rossoneri have been consistently prolific under Ancelotti’s reign, but the disappointing form of Alberto Gilardino, Pippo Inzaghi’s fitness problems and the difficulties in adapting of new signing Ricardo Oliveira have seen them fire blanks.
“It’s true that we haven’t scored in our last three official outings, but we have created plenty of chances. In these two weeks we have worked a great deal on forward moves and will see what the results are on the field.”
Gilardino was dropped from Italy’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Ukraine and Georgia, so there are fears this could also hit his confidence at club level.
“Alberto has a back problem and we’ll try him out in training, but he could be out of the game. Andrea Pirlo is still recovering from a throat infection, so he’ll rest to recuperate fully.”
Yoann Gourcuff, Serginho and Giuseppe Favalli are also injured for today’s visit to Sampdoria at Marassi.
“It won’t be easy, as Sampdoria are the side that gave us the most problems last season,” warned Ancelotti.
“They are a classic Walter Novellino team – organised and disciplined. Let’s not say this is our last chance saloon for the Scudetto race, though. There are a lot of rounds left and anyone can be caught at this stage.”
Milan started the campaign with an eight-point deduction due to the Calciopoli scandal and are now on three.
Milan squad: Dida, Fiori, Kalac; Bonera, Cafu, Costacurta, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Kaka', Seedorf; Borriello, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira
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