Paolo Maldini Thread

New interview with Paolo

Milan, July 4, 2011

And now Paolo Maldini what do you do?
"I'm being a dad, it's is a serious and difficult job. But if I receive a proposal which is interesting I can return to work in football which has been my passion, my life."


What's your opinion of the AC Milan of Allegri?
"AC Milan is by far the most complete team in Italian football, a team that after so much has returned to play aggressively."


Of Allegri what do you say?
"He confirmed the good he had done in Cagliari. If anything surprised me the personality that he has demonstrated in selecting players and relationships with the same players, with the leaders and the press."


Is there one man who is the symbol of this Milan?
"Yes, that's Ibrahimovic. It's he who has transmitted, at the level of mentality and play, strong statements, it's him, with his overflowing character, who has restored great confidence to Milan."


Is it an exaggeration to compare him to Van Basten?
"No, it's not an exaggeration. At the technical level they are equal, Van Basten was more complete and more a scorer, Ibra is more powerful and more a leader*." (*trascinatore- the player who pulls the group together)


For now, Milan have bought Mexes, Taiwo and El Shaarawy, are they reinforcements?
"They are worthy purchases of a company that wants to continue the work of strengthening that began last season. And this is a very good sign."


What does Milan still need?
"To continue to excel in Italy almost nothing, to take off in Europe must sign other young and strong players."


Should Hamsik be signed?
"If Napoli would sell him at a reasonable price I would sign him in a hurry because Hamsik has the requirements that I talked about before, namely young and strong."


Cassano, would you give him up?
"Cassano is at the crossroads, for him the last train is passing to show he can be decisive even at very high levels."


Can this Milan start a cycle?
"Yes, but on the condition that it continues to invest to reduce if not to cancel the distances from the largest in Europe."


In his 25 year career which was, by far, the most beautiful Milan?
"It's difficult to choose. That of Sacchi has the merit of having given way to a long successful season, that of Capello was the most complete, had no weaknesses."


Who do you consider the best Milan coach of the era maldiniana?
"The answer is this: without Sacchi I might not have been part of the great Milan, without Capello I would not have reached the highest professional top, without Ancelotti I would not play up to forty years."


Give us an opinion on Berlusconi?
"From the beginning of the career I became great friends of his son Pier Silvio and Berlusconi said to me that I was another son. I love him and respect him, I believe it to be reciprocated."


What do you think of that small minority of fans who at the end of your career challenged you as a legend?
"As a football player I've had proper relationship with teammates, with coaches, with management, with journalists, with everyone. I have nothing to apolpogice to some fans with whom I have never tried contacts of convenience. "


Here at Inter: You like Gasperini?
"He's not a second choice, considering how his Genoa played and how the players who have been with him talks about him."


Is Leonardo a traitor?
"Leonardo is an intelligent person who has left Milan because he did not get along with the president and left Inter, in agreement with Moratti, because it presented the perfect opportunity to become manager, his job of choice, in Paris Saint Germain."


Is Inter on the wane?
"'We'll know if it's true this year."


In order not to run risks, to remain great what things would have to be done?
"Must first strengthen and then rejuvenate the Nerazzurri, as the average age is quite high."


And Juventus, to become great what things has to be done?
"Juve have invested heavily in recent years but with questionable results. In order to make a leap in quality, for example last year, Milan bought Ibra and the corporation is great. In essence, it's better with one strong player than 3 or 4 medium. With Pirlo, for example, they've made a logical deal. "


What do you say about Conte whom you played with in the national team?
"Antonio has great character, is intelligent and competent. And those who talk about little experience forgets the examples of Guardiola and Villas Boas. If you give him the right players Conte can do very well."


But Ziegler, Lichetsteiner and Patience are the right players?
"Around the champions it takes a good side dish."


Who will be the top Juventus player?
"Sanchez would do very well but to Aguero, a great scorer, I would prefer Tevez who has grit, personality, physique, in short, is a leader like Ibrahimovic."


Your favorites for scudetto?
"Milan, Inter and Juve in that order."


Abroad, will we still cut a very poor figure?
"The risk is there, considering the humiliating results that we have swallowed in the Champions League, Europe League and youth azzurre."


To conclude, is there not a position for you in Milan?
"I think I know Milan like my own pockets, if the conditions are right I'll be happy to return to the team of my heart, at least in part, I have received a lot."

Mario D'Ascoli

http://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/sport/calcio/2011/07/04/537190-ricetta_maldini.shtml​