Tag: champions league final

Legends of Calcio: Paolo Maldini

A name that transcends rivalries. Universally admired by teammates, rivals, coaches and pundits. The embodiment of Italian defensive mastery. The art of defending, personified. One Club Man. Elegance, Intelligence, Loyalty. Is there a bigger legend of Calcio than Paolo Maldini?

Born in 1968 in Milan, Maldini quickly rose through the ranks at AC Milan and would make his debut at the age of just 16 in 1985. By the time he retired in 2009 he had made over 900 appearances in all competitions for Milan, appeared in 7 major tournaments for Italy, won 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions Leagues.

The man who would be cited as inspiration by John Terry, Gerard Pique and Virgil Van Dijk. His career took him all around the World, collecting trophies. But he never left Milan and he never won a thing with Italy.

A young Maldini making his debut.

Hi father, Cesare Maldini was on the coaching staff in 1985 when he made his debut, and his son Daniel would begin his career at Milan with his Dad as Technical Director. He’s since moved on, as has Paolo, and Milan feels a bit emptier for it.

Maldini would win his first Serie A title in 1988 as part of the irresistible pressing side of Arrigo Sacchi. He formed part of an indomitable back line with Baresi, Tassotti and Costacurta. His first European triumph wasn’t far behind when Milan dismantled Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in the final in 1989.

Milan would win back to back European Cups, defeating Benfica 1-0 in the final in 1990 with a defensive masterclass from their famous quartet.

The best was yet to come in Europe, however, and in 1994 Milan defeated the great Cruyff Barcelona 4-0 in the final, with Maldini putting on a clinic as a fill in centre back. Europe provided plenty of low moments too, though, with arguably the worst coming in 2005.

Paolo scored the fasted ever final goal (at that point) when he put Milan 1-0 up against Liverpool in Istanbul. By half time it was 3-0 and their name was on the cup. Fate had other ideas, however, and Liverpool roared back in the second half, eventually winning on penalties after extra time.

Despite the defeat, Maldini was praised for his leadership and sportsmanship that night in Istanbul. It would be avenged two years later though, when a 38 year old Maldini captained his side through a knee injury to a 2-1 victory over the same opponents.

A much happier Paolo Maldini

England provided another sweet Champions League moment for Maldini too, when he lifted his first one as captain in 2003. Not only did Milan defeat the old enemy Juventus, but they did so in Old Trafford, Manchester – birthplace of his father Cesare.

Back home in Italy, Maldini collected trophies like they were prizes in a cereal box. By the time of the Juventus final in 2003, he had already won 6 of the 7 titles he would win. Milan also won a Coppa Italia title with him, as well as 5 Supercoppas.

But it was internationally that Maldini was hardest done by. Making his debut against Yugoslavia in 1988, at just 19, he would play 126 games for the Azzurri across 7 tournaments but only collect runners up medals.

Paolo Maldini in action at Euro 96

The first of these came in the 1994 World Cup, when he was ever present in Italy’s run to the final. He captained the side for the first time too, after Franco Baresi was injured. However, three missed penalties in the final meant that Italy wouldn’t win the tournament and his medal would be silver.

He would remain captain of Italy after the tournament and would miss the chance to lift a major honour again when in Euro 2000 in Holland and Belgium, Italy lost the final to France 2-1 after extra time.

The absolute scandalous refereeing performance at the 2002 World Cup that saw Italy eliminated to South Korea in their home tournament eventually proved too much for Maldini and he announced his retirement from the international game to focus on Milan.

It was a good decision, Maldini played a further 7 years for Milan, eventually hanging up his boots after 902 matches and 33 goals in all competitions. He even received his first ever Red Card in that final season.

The best were terrified of taking on Maldini

Maldini was quoted as saying that, “If I have to make a tackle then I have already made a mistake”. He embodied the ideals of the perfect Italian defender with the way he read the game. His coolness under pressure, composure on the ball and a fabulous range of passing. He was uncompromising, tough, but fair and sporting.

These were all traits he would take into his next role, as Technical Director of Milan. He had the role from 2018 until leaving in 2023 under something of a cloud after tensions with the club’s owners RedBird Capital. His exit has been viewed by some Milan fans as the moment when the team started to lose its identity.

Maldini was widely regarded as one of the World’s greatest defenders of all time – known for his elegance, positional intelligence and loyalty. Inspiring a wealth of modern defenders, Thiago Silva (once of Milan) summed it up nicely with, “I dreamed of being a defender like Maldini”.

And the truth is, there’s no one quite like Maldini…

Maldini bids farewell

16th Jul 2025
A Champions League Disgrace: What Happens Next For Inter

In Milan fans of the Rossonero were holding a mock funeral for Inter’s Champions League final last night, but inside Inter’s organisation there’s already a full post mortem underway. On the receiving end of a record Champions League Final drubbing to a brilliant PSG, coming second in Serie A and losing to Milan in both the Supercoppa and Coppa Italia it’s not exactly a marquee season for Inter.

Until March they were very much looking at the possibility of a banner season and a second ever treble, going down in history with Mourinho’s team of 2010. However, a complete collapse in the league and a hiding from Milan in the Coppa semi final put paid to that. But morale boosting ties with Barcelona gave Inzaghi and his team some breathing space from too many external questions.

Last night, however, the chance to save their season and go down in history passed them by. Inter simply never arrived in Munich. A midfield that went completely missing, a confused Acerbi marking no one, Di Marco running in rings and an isolated forward line and this was not the Inter we’d come to appreciate over the last couple of seasons.

Everything Inter did to beat Barcelona’s press in those two memorable matches recently was missing, they completely went to pieces. Inzaghi didn’t seem to have an answer, rigidly sticking to his 3-5-2 in the face of its obvious failure on Saturday. Confusing substitutions and the refusal to use last minute hero Davide Frattesi meant Inzaghi faces legitimate criticism from both outside and inside the club.

Speculation began over Inzaghi’s future in the run up to the final with Gazzetta breaking the news that Al-Hilal were prepared to pay him €30m a year to break free from Inter and go to the Club World Cup with them. Last night, in his post match press conference he refused to confirm he’ll lead Inter in the tournament in America next month.

The rumours are now picking up with La Repubblica reporting that everything will be decided in a meeting Tuesday with the clubs hierarchy. There’s even a rumoured list of ready made replacements with Cesc Fabregas the front runner after his fabulous season at Como. Roberto De Zerbi from Marseille and former Inter defender and current Parma manager Christian Chivu are also on the list.

This fits firmly with the owners plan to introduce some young fire into the club. Oaktree made it clear that their strategy is to reduce the average age of the squad, something fans will be delighted by after the leggy performance of an ageing side last night. Nico Paz, the 20 year old Argentinian midfielder at Como is reportedly high on the list along with 25 year old Canadian striker Jonathan David.

They have already added Tomas Palacios, Argentinian Centre Back last August, he spent this season on loan at Monza. The club also secured their 11th Primavera title this season (the Under 20s crown), with a 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the final.

Oaktree have a plan to freshen Inter up and last night’s “performance” probably sped this process up significantly. However, all isn’t doom and gloom over at Inter. The Gazzetta reported this month that Inter have money to spend. The Oaktree takeover from Steven Zhang is complete, the last few seasons of free transfers and big sales have boosted the coffers and given some Financial Fair Play breathing space. The almost successful European run has added millions to the bank and the Club World Cup will do the same.

The one thing Inter need to do before any of this freshening up is decide what to do with their manager. Inzaghi exposed his own weakness on Saturday night against PSG and his negotiating position isn’t as strong as it was in March. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see the club decide on a different direction, but don’t start writing the obituary of Inzaghi’s Inter yet…

1st Jun 2025
The three players who can win Inter the Champions League tomorrow night…

Inter seem to be an overwhelming second favourite for tomorrow nights Champions League Final in Munich. This despite dumping out Bayern Munich and a rather spectacular punchers victory over Barcelona in the Semi Final. The British Media are unashamedly pre-crowning PSG for the first time with Europe’s greatest prize.

So can Inter actually pull it off? Well, anyone who’s watched anything in Serie A this season will have a definite opinion: “maybe they can?” Inter have been consistently inconsistent. An absolute schellacking of Lazio 6-0 at Olimpico in December was hot on the heels of defeats in Leverkusen and Florence.

Unconvincing results against Milan and Fiorentina in January was followed up with a disappointing defeat to Juventus and when Napoli stumbled in May, Inter tripped over their own feet to throw away a victory against Lazio and with it, the scudetto.

But there was always a sense in these final months of the season that Inzaghi’s eyes were on a much bigger prize, one he never got his hands on as a player and one he let slip away two years ago as a coach. Inter’s rotation was heavy in the final weeks of the season because tiredness was clearly affecting this ageing squad.

Which brings us to tomorrow night in Munich, and after scoring 7 in two matches against the probable “best team in Europe”, Inter have a chance to make history and become European champions for a fourth time. To do it, they’ll need some key players to come big for them – and I’ve picked out three who will be key to bringing “old big ears” back across the Alps to Milano.

Lautaro Martinez – The Relentless Captain

Lauti – or El Toro – has hit an impressive 9 goals in this seasons tournament and the captain is likely to be fit to start tomorrow. He’ll almost certainly be partnered with Marcus Thuram, one of the most fearsome duos in Europe.

Martinez hit his 150th Inter goal against Bayern Munich and became their all time top European scorer, overtaking the great Sandro Mazzola. He’s their all time top foreign scorer and 5th all time scorer.

Il Capitano has a habit of flying under the radar when it comes to recognition across Europe, but the World Cup and Copa America winner will have the keen attention of the PSG defence tomorrow evening.

Davide Frattesi – The Midfield Dynamo

It’s almost guaranteed that Frattesi won’t start this game of football, Inzaghi is known to prefer his three of Calhanoglu, Barella and Mkhitaryan. However, you only have to glance at his scoring record from the bench to realise that he doesn’t just contribute – he scores HUGE goals.

Last season in March, Inter were faltering in their scudetto pursuit away at Udinese. 1-1 with seconds left on the clock when Lautaro hit the post, everyone on the pitch was watching except for Frattesi who followed in and smashed home the winner – exactly as he had done in the 2-1 home victory against Hellas Verona in January that year.

Then there’s the winner at tomorrow’s final venue earlier in the tournament against Bayern and the extra time winner against Barcelona. In fact, 5 of his 14 Inter goals have been scored on or after the 88th minute. If the game is tight in the second half, Inzaghi will 100% turn to this bundle of energy to tip the tie in Inter’s favour.

Francesco Acerbi – The Defensive Pillar

While all those around you are losing their heads, keep yours. In the San Siro on May 6th 2025 that’s exactly what Acerbi did. He bid a fond farewell to defensive partner Darmian and head off up to the attacking positions. The man that had overcome depression, alcoholism, the death of his father and testicular cancer (twice) has very little to be afraid of and incurring Inzaghi’s wrath for abandoning his post is one of them.

Sure enough, in the 93rd minute, the boyhood Inter fan smashed a Dumfries cross high into the net and the rest is history. He’s not only a great makeshift attacker though, Acerbi is a downright pain in the backside to play against. A master of the Italian art of defending, the 38 year old will have to pull out all the stops against a much younger, quicker and fitter PSG forward line. But you don’t get where Acerbi is without a few tricks up your sleeve…

So in short, yes Inter can win it. I wouldn’t mind betting that if they do, these three players will have a significant say in matters.

30th May 2025