LET'S MAINTAIN OUR BALANCE
3/11/2009 5:35:00 PM
Captain Paolo Maldini talked at Milanello today and made an analysis of the team's moment after the victory against Atalanta and ahead of the two away games before the break.


MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by captain Paolo Maldini, exclusively to Milan Channel's microphones, before the afternoon training session today at Milanello:

Paolo, yesterday a complete working week started which brings Milan to two away games after Sunday's important victory against Atalanta.
"Yes, it was an important victory both for the morale and the table also because last week was very special because of the travel involved for the friendly in Qatar. We were worried about the match against Atalanta, fortunately we managed to win. Now we are able to train well and face these two away games which will both be delicate for different reasons: Siena are a team who have made it difficult for many teams at home and Napoli become a very dangerous team again after the coaching change.
From now until the end of the season it will be important to maintain our balance toward the top of the table until the end, trying to get good results both at home and away because we have to maintain consistency in our results without differences between home and away games."

Has the elimination from the Uefa Cup been archived?
"Yes, now we only think about the league. We have the chance to train the whole week which is a great advantage. Certainly the Uefa Cup elimination remains heavy and difficult to digest, but the same way we turned the page after winning, we also have to do it after losing, so let's not think about the past and try to look to the future which sees us in a good position in the table."

Against Werder Bremen it was your last match in Europe.
"Yes, last year the last one in the Champions League and this year the last in Europe in general, the important thing is to be serene and I am."

This season there have been quite a few injuries.
"The injuries have hit fundamental players for our play and for their quality. It's been a difficult season, let's hope the trend changes because instead of getting back players we often lose someone: also yesterday Beckham suffered this ankle injury, let's hope it's nothing serious. We hope, in any case, to get back some injured players for Sunday."

How did you see Beckham as a playmaker?
"He did well, he also has to adapt, it's not easy. He has the right spirit, he is someone who always gives his best, he has played in various positions and it's normal he has to find the right distances."

Yesterday Adriano Galliani has said that in Italy there are more injuries because there are too many games.
"You'd have to go into details, I saw that also Arsenal had their most important players out for long stretches, and also Chelsea had injury problems. Some seasons are difficult. The top teams that participated to the Champions League and the Uefa Cup have a high number of injuries. It's a research that should be done over more seasons and perhaps in different countries."

Is there something or someone who could make you change your mind about quitting at the end of the season?
"No, the decision has been made calmly and I certainly won't turn back." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

Is there something or someone who could make you change your mind about quitting at the end of the season?
"No, the decision has been made calmly and I certainly won't turn back."

Paolo Maldini: My Retirement Will Be A Sad Day For Me

Milan legend Paolo Maldini admits the day he retires will be one of the saddest of his career, but he has preferred to focus on the positives.

The stopper has already confirmed his farewell to Calcio following a career which stretches back to 1978 when he joined Milan as a youth player. Having earned legendary status over the years, Maldini is ready to confront his big decision with professionalism and philosophy.

"I have always imagined how my retirement would be and surely it will be a sad day for me," Maldini told Itasportpress.it.

"However, I will live it serenely because I am leaving a sport which has given me so much. It has made me laugh and smile and it has given me plenty of satisfactions both on a professional and human level."

Maldini is proud that he has been able to fly the flag for his club. The defender recounts his illustrious past, believing it will soften the blow of retirement.

"All the trophies I have won make me proud as well as all the things I have been able to achieve with this club," added Maldini.

"Football has been an experience which has given me many nice things, but only a few bad ones. The bad things can be attributed to some defeats, but this is part of football, and so I will accept it."

Il Capitano is set to hang up his boots at the end of term.

Hey hey hey where do they sell these!?!?! I want 10 of them!!!