Updated: April 30, 2007
Seedorf revels in adversity
Nick Bidwell
Clarence Seedorf leaves himself open to ridicule when he claims Wayne Rooney's injury time winner in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford was a blessing in disguise for AC Milan.
By suggesting a 3-2 deficit is a better result than the scoring draw the Rossoneri held until the dying seconds against Manchester United, Seedorf could be accused of taking leave of his senses, but the twisted logic of this serial winner should not be ignored.
No sports quiz would be complete without the question relating to Seedorf's unique achievement of winning Europe's holy grail with three different clubs and as he targets yet another appearance in a Champions League final, the Dutch midfielder justifies his opinions in a typically eloquent manner.
His claim that Milan's mindset has been crystallised by Rooney's dramatic late clincher is given credence when he suggests Carlo Ancelotti's men aim to match fire with fire as they take on Europe's great entertainers for a second time. And if his version of events turns out to be true, lovers of this game are in for yet another night to remember.
'While we were devastated to lose out to United in the last minute, on reflection it's not a bad result at all,' he states. 'I'd even go as far as to say a 3-2 defeat away from home is preferable to a 2-2 draw because if we'd held on for the draw in Manchester, we'd now we be tempted to play it safe at the San Siro.
'For me, it's better that we have to go for the win in the second-leg. I think that suits us as we have an attacking mentality here. When the pressure is on, when we have to come up with a victory, we have a habit of rising to the occasion. You can sometimes come unstuck when you go out on the pitch to play in a calculated way. Our task is a straightforward one and even though United have some amazing attacking players, we have a simple challenge - to win.'
It's a target Milan are more than capable of achieving as any doubts they lack the attacking flair to hurt United were silenced with their first half display in Manchester. The brilliant Kaka may have stolen the headlines, but Milan's fluidity and confidence through the midfield threatened to carve the Premiership leaders apart on more than one occasion and Seedorf takes great confidence from the display.
'Football can often leave you with mixed feelings,' he states. 'We thought we played well in Manchester and didn't deserve to go down. Our coach was so annoyed when we let our guard slip to let in a late goal and he was right, of course. On a professional level, we were guilty of not keeping possession and winding down the clock. It's an important lesson.
'Still, we can take so many positives from the first leg. We didn't lose our composure after conceding an early goal, showed great character to force our way back into the match and went into the break in front. We showed just how comfortable we are on the big occasion.
'The atmosphere generated by the United fans was incredible, but we weren't rattled by it. We were moving the ball around well, United weren't really hurting us, limited to long shots. In fact, our first half performance was one of our best for a long time.
'There's no question that the turning point was the injuries to Paolo (Maldini) and Rino (Gattuso). When they went off, United seemed to grow in conviction. That's normal, as we'd just lost two highly experienced players who have done it all. No disrespect to the replacements, but it's very difficult to compensate for the loss of two such stars. I'm not sure if Gattuso and Maldini will be fit for the second-leg, but knowing them, they will be on the pitch at the San Siro. They've won everything and still want more.'
Seedorf, whose under-rated talents may only be fully appreciated when his trophy-laden career comes to an end, shares the same appetite for repeated success. Glory has followed this midfielder from Ajax to Real Madrid and now Milan, yet his passion to claim more gold remains as fresh as ever.
And while his forthright opinions have often infuriated some of the coaches he has worked with, the media have long been a friend of a player who is always willing to provide the sort of insight so often lacking when the average footballer speaks. So in a week when Kaka's stunning personal display at Old Trafford inspired many a pundit to suggest the Brazilian is the best player in the game right now, Seedorf offers this less than predictable response.
'Kaka is not the best world yet, but that's not a criticism,' he says. 'He's a wonderful player with outrageous skill, pace and intelligence, but there are still areas in which he can improve and he knows this. It's a frightening thought. In two or three years time, he will definitely be the number one.
'I don't see this semi-final as a duel between Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. This is just media talk. Football's a team game, not one against one. All I'd say on this matter is Kaka was outstanding in Manchester and that I'm glad he's on our side.
'I just love playing with him. We have a great understanding and unlike the opposition, I have a good idea of what he intends to do. Hopefully we'll combine well in the second-leg. Although I can't reveal our plans, we think we know how to get the better of the United defence.
'Kaka didn't deserve to be on the losing side in Manchester. He's been sensational in the Champions League this season and some of the things he did in this game were beyond belief. And while the English media obviously think the tie took a decisive turn with Rooney's late winner, we have other ideas. Kaka's two away goals could be very valuable.'
So as the football world holds its breath in the hope that the second leg of this Champions League semi-final can replicate the first meeting between United and Milan for sheer drama, Seedorf offers a vision which does not feature an all-English party in Athens on May 23.
'I predict a Milan v Chelsea final and that would mean we would meet with our old friend Andriy Shevchenko,' he adds. 'He has had a tough first season in England, but I still see him as one of the best strikers in the world and he can prove as much in the final month of the season.
'Our task against United will not be easy, but the San Siro crowd will be a big factor in our favour. Now we're playing on our turf and our fans are just as noisy as those at Old Trafford. They appreciate how our performances have picked up since the turn of the year and with a Champions League final on the line, they will really get behind us. They will give us an extra man or two.'
Clarence Seedorf hasn't experienced failure too many times in the Champions League, so Milan supporters have every right to believe they have this competition's lucky charm on their side.