Maldini hopes to repeat history

By Paolo Menicucci

In 1963 AC Milan captain Cesare Maldini lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup at Wembley stadium after the Rossoneri defeated SL Benfica 2-1 in the final.

All-Italian affair
Forty years on from his father's success, current Milan captain Paolo Maldini is 90 minutes away from holding aloft the famous trophy again on English soil. This time the venue will be Manchester United FC's Old Trafford and Milan will face Serie A winners Juventus FC in the first all-Italian UEFA Champions League final.

First as captain
Maldini jr has already played five finals with the Rossoneri but Wednesday's will be his first as captain. "Milan have played nine finals and I'm really proud of the fact that I or my father have always been involved," said the 35-year-old defender. "My father will be really excited tomorrow. He is still a great Milan supporter and he always feels a lot of pressure when I play important matches."

'A great honour'
The last time Milan played a Champions League final was back in 1995 when they lost 1-0 against AFC Ajax in Vienna. "It's great to have the fantastic feelings and emotions that only a Champions League final can give you," continued the former Italian international in Tuesday's press conference at Old Trafford. "It's about time we were back playing a match like this as we haven't played a final in eight years. Tomorrow I will be the captain for the first time and it will be a great honour for me."

Fantastic career
During his fantastic career Maldini has already won three European Cups in 1989, 1990 and 1994 and lost two finals. Yet for all his experience, he admitted it was impossible to avoid nerves. "Juventus and Milan are the two most successful teams in our country and by consequence they are the two clubs with most supporters," he said.

'A lot of pressure'
"Everybody in the squad feels a lot of pressure ahead of such an important match regardless if you are a veteran or if it is the first time you play a final. It's just a matter of using this pressure in the right way and I think we are used to it. In the semi-finals we beat Inter and I think we had even more pressure before that match."

Seedorf's treble chance
Another Milan player who has already savoured European glory is Clarence Seedorf, who could become the first player to win the Champions League with three different clubs. "Obviously it will be a special thing, but honestly I want to win this trophy only for Milan," said the Dutchman.

Fighting spirit key
Seedorf's two previous successes came against Italian opposition - against Milan in 1995 with Ajax, and Juventus in 1998 with Real Madrid CF. "It's always a different kind of emotion," said the 27-year-old midfield player. "I joined Milan last summer and we started together a long walk from the Champions League qualifying games. It has been a fantastic season and now we want to finish it in the best way.

'Juve are favourites'
"Some years things don't go as you want, sometimes they do. But I think that our fighting spirit gave us the chance to reach this final. I still think that Juve are favourites to win this match for what they have done in the Italian league and for beating the holders Real Madrid. But it doesn't mean that we cannot beat them." He should know that better than anybody else, having triumphed with the underdogs twice before.