[Zed.D]

It'd be great if it was against Brazil since he also has many friends and teammates among the Selecao but the most important thing for his farewell game would be to take place in Italy.

Yes. but we all know it'd be a bigger event if it's held in England... and it will be against a real national team, not against a couple of retired footballers.

For me, Maldini's last game in Milan shirt would be more special anyway...

That is the best sig I've seen in a long time Ro! Nice. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The boy is already a legend (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I can't wait til he comes and continues Cesare and Paolo's way!

[acid911]

For me, Maldini's last game in Milan shirt would be more special anyway...

True that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif) If Paolo wants it, then nothing should come in the way. Playing against Brazil will always be a special occasion for him. More so if the Selaco can rope in Ronaldo for that one match. And those of you who are worried that it won't be a competitive encounter, rest assured, it will be. This isn't a testimonial match, after all.

[Tennie]

I wonder if a friendly against Germany might be a good one for this match. Germany have traditionally been among Italy's biggest rivals.

[dst]

Something about his career not being as "lucky" with the Azzurri, that it's not a meaningful match...they all have different opinions.

Ah so you've been visiting retardedmilanfan.com... no really... just because he did not win a trophy with the Azzurri it won't be a meaningful match? That's stupid.

[Fillipo Simone]

I know this will be a stupid post but I'll do it anyway,...

Maldini has 127, Canna has 121 if I'm right? I want the match Maldini does for Italy to be his 128 so that the distance remains for as long as possible in favor of Paolo.

[acid911]

Maldini has 127, Canna has 121 if I'm right? I want the match Maldini does for Italy to be his 128 so that the distance remains for as long as possible in favor of Paolo.

I used to think like you, a couple of years back. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) But then it hit me, Paolo himself might want his record to be broken, just like he broke Zoff's record. Maldini is too good of a player/person to want otherwise. Mind it, or say he wants to stay as the most capped player for the NT. If he wanted otherwise, he'd probably have played in the Euros and World Cup matches.

Besides, records are meant to be broken.

[Fillipo Simone]

In a way, I agree. And yes, Maldini is a good person, but do I have to think that way? Naah...let Canna have that honour..

This post has been edited by Fillipo Simone: Feb 4 2009, 05:07 PM

[acid911]

In a way, I agree. And yes, Maldini is a good person, but do I have to think that way? Naah...let Canna have that honour..

Nothing wrong to think that way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) What else are fans for? I used to think the same, and I'd be lying if I said otherwise. For me, Paolo should keep the record till eternity. Then I outgrew that thought. If it won't be Canna, it'll be someone else. If not someone else, then someone else. That's just the way things work, I guess.

Besides Canna still is the best Italian defender (in recent times) after Maldini and Nesta.

[acid911]

Ah so you've been visiting retardedmilanfan.com... no really... just because he did not win a trophy with the Azzurri it won't be a meaningful match? That's stupid.

+1. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) Well put.

[dst]

I know this will be a stupid post but I'll do it anyway,...

Maldini has 127, Canna has 121 if I'm right? I want the match Maldini does for Italy to be his 128 so that the distance remains for as long as possible in favor of Paolo.

That's exactly what I've been thinking. And it's a shame because I think they were playing less international matches when Maldini started.

[Fillipo Simone]

Canna made a big sin joining the neroazzuri camp, but yes, he is. Still,...Maldini and Baresi,...miles away..

[acid911]

Maldini has 127, Canna has 121 if I'm right?

Maldini has 126 actually. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Jep!

That's exactly what I've been thinking. And it's a shame because I think they were playing less international matches when Maldini started.

That's true, but that's just the way today's football has become. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) That's exactly why legends of tomorrow can't be compared with the players of today.

Canna made a big sin joining the neroazzuri camp, but yes, he is. Still,...Maldini and Baresi,...miles away..

Agreed. Maldini is numero uno, Baresi, Nesta, Billy, and then so on and so forth. Cannavaro is in good company, I'll give him that. There are few defenders as good as Fabio, on his day. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Italia's finest.

[Fillipo Simone]

04/02/2009 14:00
Calcio Debate: What Was Paolo Maldini’s Most Memorable Italy Game?
Paolo Maldini has confirmed his desire to play one more time for Italy before hanging up his boots. Carlo Garganese takes a look at five memorable Maldini games in an Azzurri shirt…

1) Italy v Spain – Euro ’88 Group Stage (14 June 1988, Frankfurt)

Paolo Maldini truly announced himself on the world stage during the 1988 European Championships in West Germany. Still a teenager, and having made his international debut only in March of that year, Maldini was one of the stars of the tournament as a young Italy team reached the semi-finals. In this second group game against Spain, the 19-year-old marked Real Madrid legend Michel, one of Europe’s most feared stars, completely out of the game. This proved just what a wonderkid Maldini was, and Italy would go on to win 1-0 thanks to Gianluca Vialli’s late goal.


2) Brazil v Italy – USA ’94 Final (17 July 1994, Pasadena)

Although Italy would lose on penalties, following a goalless draw and an iconic Roberto Baggio miss from 12 yards, this game will always be memorable to Maldini for other reasons. Brazilian forwards Romario and Bebeto, particularly the former, had been tearing up defences all World Cup, but they were tamed by Maldini and his equally legendary Milan colleague Franco Baresi, who had miraculously returned from injury to make the clash. This was the first time there had ever been a clean sheet World Cup Final, and Maldini played a huge role in this.


3) England v Italy – World Cup ’98 Qualifier – (12 February 1997, London)

Paolo’s father Cesare took charge of his first competitive game as coach, and duly led Italy to one of their finest victories on foreign soil, 24 years after Fabio Capello had earned the Azzurri their maiden win at Wembley back in 1973. Gianfranco Zola scored the only goal of the game within the first 20 minutes and, from then on in, the Italian defence suffocated the English strikeforce, which included Euro ’96 top scorer Alan Shearer. This qualifier was also Fabio Cannavaro’s first ever competitive game for his country. The Azzurri backline that day was terrifyingly formidable:

Ciro Ferrara- Alessandro Costacurta- Fabio Cannavaro- Paolo Maldini

4) Holland v Italy – Euro 2000 Semi Final (29 June 2000, Amsterdam)

One of the most famous-ever Italian defensive displays, as La Nazionale somehow eliminated the co-hosts on penalties, despite playing with 10 men for almost 90 minutes after Gianluca Zambrotta’s 34th minute dismissal. Maldini, along with the impenetrable Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, and Francesco Toldo, who saved two penalties in normal time, soaked up wave after wave of Orange attacks. Toldo would deny the Dutch twice more in the shootout as Italy triumphed 3-1 in one of the most gripping clashes in Euros history.


5) Italy v Romania – World Cup 2002 Qualifier (7 October 2000, Milan)

Maldini wins his 113th cap for Italy, and in the process overtakes 1982 World Cup-winning captain Dino Zoff as the most capped player in the history of the Azzurri. Before the match, Maldini was presented with a special trophy, and greeted by Giovanni Trapattoni, father Cesare Maldini, ex-Milan mentor Arrigo Sacchi, and Zoff himself. It proved to be a perfect celebration for the then 32-year-old as the Azzurri romped to a 3-0 win – Pippo Inzaghi, Marco Delvecchio and Francesco Totti grabbing the goals.

[dst]

I've watched all these games except for the first one. I don't think he was at his very best against Holland to be honest.

PS thanks for posting Filip

This post has been edited by dst: Feb 4 2009, 07:48 PM

[Ro Rossonera]

Ah so you've been visiting retardedmilanfan.com... no really... just because he did not win a trophy with the Azzurri it won't be a meaningful match? That's stupid.

Not exactly what they meant...what I think they were trying to say is that he left the Azzurri a long time ago for the better of the club so he could make sure he could stay fit and play for Milan for as long as he could. I guess they just don't understand why now. Plus that all was said before he said he wouldn't mind playing one more match...I'm sure if they knew that he was in favor of it they would feel differently.

It was at Acmilan.theoffside.com