Maldini determined to have final say

Postponed surgery
The 38-year-old defender has been struggling with a persistent knee injury throughout the season and opted to postpone surgery in order to help the Rossoneri in the latter stages of the campaign. "After the league game against [Calcio] Catania on Sunday my knee swelled up but it was expected," said Maldini, who played for 65 minutes of the 1-1 draw. "I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I'm 100 per cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else."

Defeat 'hurts'
Milan have been crowned European champions on six occasions and Maldini played in four of those finals in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. "I always believed we could reach the final this season," continued the veteran of 23 seasons at San Siro. "Now we have the chance to write another great page in our history. The Istanbul defeat in 2005 still hurts but I'm sure Liverpool know they will never win a match like that again. Compared to our last two finals in Manchester and Istanbul we are in much better shape."