Paolo Maldini is backing Juventus to win the Champions League final in the hope that former Italy team-mate Gianluigi Buffon gets a "deserved" European title.
The 46-year-old was the AC Milan captain in the 2003 final when the Rossoneri beat Buffon and Juventus on penalties in Manchester, but he admits he will be cheering on the Bianconeri on Saturday when they take on Barcelona in Berlin.
"Of course I'll be supporting Juve, I have friends playing for them," Maldini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I have had everything in my life, and while teasing can be fun I will not be rooting against my own.
"Besides, Buffon deserves it since he has been the best goalkeeper of the last three decades and is an icon of world football. He is always smiling and always calm. Often he is criticised on the basis only of his age, since the same mistake 10 years ago would be forgiven… I know that from experience!"
Maldini is one of the most storied players in the Champions League's history, appearing in a record eight finals and winning five, and he admits there is no experience quite like a first European showpiece.
"Yes, the emotion is stronger the first time around. You take everything in as you never known if it will happen to you again. I then went on to play in eight finals, but you have to take it all in your stride.
"If the group is not ready the tension can be a bad thing. It is important to have a coach who can speak with assurance and calmness, and then there are also the leaders in the side. In Berlin Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez will be crucial."
Pirlo appeared alongside Maldini in three finals for Milan and the former skipper admits he had an ulterior motive when getting in touch with his old team-mate recently ahead of his fourth such showpiece.
The 46-year-old was the AC Milan captain in the 2003 final when the Rossoneri beat Buffon and Juventus on penalties in Manchester, but he admits he will be cheering on the Bianconeri on Saturday when they take on Barcelona in Berlin.
"Of course I'll be supporting Juve, I have friends playing for them," Maldini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I have had everything in my life, and while teasing can be fun I will not be rooting against my own.
"Besides, Buffon deserves it since he has been the best goalkeeper of the last three decades and is an icon of world football. He is always smiling and always calm. Often he is criticised on the basis only of his age, since the same mistake 10 years ago would be forgiven… I know that from experience!"
Maldini is one of the most storied players in the Champions League's history, appearing in a record eight finals and winning five, and he admits there is no experience quite like a first European showpiece.
"Yes, the emotion is stronger the first time around. You take everything in as you never known if it will happen to you again. I then went on to play in eight finals, but you have to take it all in your stride.
"If the group is not ready the tension can be a bad thing. It is important to have a coach who can speak with assurance and calmness, and then there are also the leaders in the side. In Berlin Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez will be crucial."
Pirlo appeared alongside Maldini in three finals for Milan and the former skipper admits he had an ulterior motive when getting in touch with his old team-mate recently ahead of his fourth such showpiece.
0 comments:
Post a Comment