Seri A Preview : Fiorentina vs Milan

These are the 21 called-up players of Carlo Ancelotti for Fiorentina-Milan:

Dida, Kalac, Perucchini, Antonini, Darmian, Favalli, Jankulovski, Maldini, Nesta, Senderos, Zambrotta, Beckham, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Inzaghi, Kakà, Shevchenko, Ronaldinho, Pato.
Unavailable players: Abbiati, Bonera, Kaladze, Cardacio, Borriello, Viudez.
Players not called-up: Mattioni.

Paolo Maldini will bring to an end his illustrious career tomorrow on what could prove a day of goodbyes for AC Milan.

The Rossoneri visit Fiorentina in a vital game for both sides in the race for automatic entry into next season's Champions League.

The third-placed Rossoneri will come out on top if they avoid defeat to a fourth-placed Viola side who have been in close pursuit for much of the season.

A Fiorentina win by a two-goal margin would see Cesare Prandelli's men relegate Milan into the qualifying rounds of Europe's premier club competition.

Although that is the main storyline, there are a number of intriguing subplots with Maldini, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti and on-loan midfielder David Beckham all set to move on in the summer.

Maldini is to retire after making his 902nd appearance for Milan in a one-club career spanning more than 24 years.

The 40-year-old has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week, however, after a small number of ultras disrupted his San Siro farewell with a banner accusing him of disrespecting the Milan fans.

The stylish defender admitted to being a "wounded man'' after the attack and also expressed his disappointment that those responsible were not condemned by the club.

Milan responded by insisting that any comment would only give credence to the protest.

Either way, it has cast a shadow over the retirement of arguably the best defender in Italian football history.

Maldini's departure has led to calls for a complete overhaul of the Milan squad particularly with Ancelotti, who has been accused of placing too much faith in older players, also set to leave, most likely for Chelsea.

Beckham, another 30-something brought in by Ancelotti, is to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy once his short-term deal expires.

The England midfielder's participation at the Stadio Artemio Franchi is in doubt though after he sustained an ankle injury in training in midweek.

While Milan have much to contemplate going into the game, Fiorentina's focus is trained fully on leapfrogging their opponents into third.

Viola midfielder Marco Donadel told the club's official website, it.violachannel.tv: "We are calm. We have a great squad and are aware that what matters during a season is to be ready at the right time.

"We will play with a free mind against Milan. We will have the fans on our side which will give us a boost.''

Defender Juan Manuel Vargas added: "We will play against a great team but we want to finish well in front of our fans.

"It is important to win the match. But what really matters is to think about our game, not about scoring two goals.''

Vargas also paid tribute to Maldini, stating: "In Italy he's an idol, he's known all over the world.

"For me he is a great professional, playing against him has always been my dream, it will be fantastic to face him in the last game of his career.''

ANCELOTTI SPEAK:
FIORENTINA-MILAN
“This is the last press conference of the season, an important press conference, because it arrives on the eve of an absolutely fundamental game for us. You all know how much we want to qualify for the Champions League without the preliminary round.

“We go to play for the qualification against a strong team, on a difficult pitch. We start off from a small advantage which we don’t want to manage. Our objective is to play a game without calculations. This team is used to play these type of games, with these type of pressures. It’s the thing that makes me feel most calm.”

THE SPECULATIONS
“During this week we have only thought about this game and even today. All the rest are just stuff which will be faced after this game."

THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS
“I think that the team is fine overall. It’s very positive the call-up for Alessandro Nesta, who is finding his best condition. It’s been 20 days that he’s been working with the team. Nesta can play, because he has proven to have improved a lot. The doubt is tied to the fact that he’s been inactive for a year and this is an important game, therefore playing him from the start could be a risk for him who has not played for a long time.

"For the rest there was a problem for Beckham to his ankle during the week, but it’s been solved. The others are all in good condition. Gattuso from the start? We’ll see, because Beckham has recovered and worked well today. My doubts for the formation are these: Beckham or Gattuso, Pato or Inzaghi. We will not change attitude or tactics.

“The performance of Kaka? From February 7, day of his injury, he has not found the continuity which was usual for him. He has alternated performances, which means that he has difficulties following his recovery. His injury to his foot was serious, as the foot is fundamental for the balance and he is finding it difficult to maintain this balance. On his role? He has modified his position a bit, but Italy is the only place where you speak about specific roles. Kaka is an attacker like the other two who should play more forward. The Italian teams should modify these divisions of the role, as magnificently proven by the teams who arrived in the Champions League final. I think about Rooney: also thanks to his work and sacrifice, the team arrived to the final. Guardiola? He created a work of art, Barcelona is taking advantage of its strength in the youth sector, apart from the champions they already have.”

THE DIP IN FORM FOLLOWING CATANIA
“We did not prepare the last games well, otherwise the account would have already been closed. The reason could be a dip in tension following Catania, when we thought that the target was reached, with nine points more than the Viola. Until there is no mathematical certainty, in football you can never feel tranquil. With Juve we played well, but against Udinese and Roma no. We have an advantage, which we don't want to manage, we want to play an open game, trying to win.

“With regards to the dip in the attackers, it’s true. All of a sudden there was a sudden block which involves a bit everyone. We suffered more goals than usual and we were less prolific than usual. I think that it is all tied to the dip in tension which I mentioned before, following the game against Catania.”

THE BALANCE OF THE SEASON
“We did not always have continuity in the results and on the contrary there were highs and lows. In the first part of the year, we paid for the injuries and the close games. The problem of this final part of the season is especially tied to the psychological factor and the confidence that we had reached the objective. In the past years, the difficulties I faced have never been tied to such important games, because we always did very well. The impression I have is that we did the same thing in the past days. At times we suffered the games with less pressure, which on paper were easier.

“The nicest moment of the season? I think it was the initial part, when we came from two consecutive defeats (against Bologna and Genoa) and we managed to return at the top of the standings, with the win in the first leg of the derby. That was our best period."

THE VIOLA ATTACK
“If I fear Gilardino’s revenge? No, the problem is tied to his qualities. He’s a very dangerous attacker, the problem must be set on these levels. Gila is fearful in the penalty area, good in the aerial game, from the crosses. Fiorentina make good use of the wings, limiting these characteristics for us will mean limiting also the balls to Gilardino."

Paolo Maldini's final Serie A appearance at the San Siro ended on a losing note

Paolo Maldini's final Serie A appearance at the San Siro ended on a losing note as AC Milan slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Roma in a thrilling match.

The visitors twice lost the lead as Massimo Ambrosini scored a second-half brace before being sent off after Francesco Totti's 85th-minute winner.

The result seals Roma's place in the Europa League, while Milan are all-but certain of securing a spot in the Champions League group stages due to a vastly superior goal difference to Fiorentina, who go into the final round of matches three points adrift of a place in the top three.

Full-back John Arne Riise and French forward Jeremy Menez scored Roma's first two.

Pre-match talk revolved around Maldini's impending retirement and the continued speculation regarding manager Carlo Ancelotti's potential move to Chelsea and perhaps unsurprisingly it was Roma who started the game more focused.

With five minutes gone the lively Totti spotted a gap and drilled a shot just wide from 35 yards, before teeing up Philippe Mexes four minutes later, only for the centre-half to miss with a speculative attempt.

Totti continued to try his luck, again shooting from range as the home defence sat a little deep.

While his first attempts had been hopeful, the Italy striker made Rossoneri goalkeeper Dida work after half an hour, forcing a smart save from the Brazilian.

With nine minutes to go before the break, Riise went one better, burying a left-footed free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards.

With fans protesting loudly against owner Silvio Berlusconi and Milan continuing to suffer stage fright on Maldini's big day, things were close to getting even worse, with Mirko Vucinic unlucky not to make it 2-0 seconds before half-time.

Clarence Seedorf replaced David Beckham at the interval but the second half started slowly and it was not until the hour mark that the game truly cranked into gear, Andrea Pirlo lashing a right-footed drive just wide of the post.

Nevertheless, it was not until 15 minutes from time that the second goal was scored, Filippo Inzaghi laying the ball to Ambrosini for him to blast home from the centre of the box.

Parity lasted only five minutes with Menez collecting a Riise pass before burying the ball in the bottom corner.

By now, the action had sped up considerably and it was 2-2 within a minute.

Kaka was the provider this time, with Ambrosini again providing the finish.

The scene was set for Totti, perhaps unfortunate not to already on the scoreboard, and he gleefully claimed it, hammering home a free-kick with five minutes left to seal victory.

Ambrosini, meanwhile, blotted his copy book somewhat when he was sent off in the 88th minute.

Elsewhere, champions Inter went down 2-1 Cagliari despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early strike. Goals from Andrea Cossu and Robert Acquafresca sealed the win.

Alessandro Del Piero scored twice as Juventus won 3-0 at Siena.

Gianvito Plasmati scored twice as Atalanta and Palermo drew 2-2, while Lecce and Fiorentina drew 1-1.

Walter Zenga resigned after Catania beat Napoli 3-1 at home while Sampdoria and Udinese 2-2.

Diego Milito netted twice as Genoa beat Torino.

Chievo Verona and Bologna drew 0-0.
IT'S OVER: MILAN-ROMA 2-3

MILAN - It finished Milan-Roma 2-3 at San Siro. In the first half Riise had opened the score with a free kick in the 36th minute. In the second half Massimo Ambrosini scored a brace (75', 81'); the Giallorossi scored through Menez in the 80th minute and Totti in the 84th minute.

MILAN-ROMA: THE OFFICIAL FORMATIONS
5/24/2009
MILAN: Dida; Flamini, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Pato, Inzaghi.
ROMA: Artur; Motta, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Taddei, Brighi, Cassetti; Pizzarro, Vucinic, Totti.

Bye Paolo!!

Bye Paolo, Bye Our Legend..

Last Saturday, May 16 2009, Paolo Maldini, indicated by many as one of the best Milan players of this final part of the season, played at Udine his 900th official game with the Rossoneri’s shirt.

The other important dates of Paolo are many. November 12, 1986, made his debut with the Italian Under 21 national team, whereas on May 15 1988 he won at Como (the same stadium of his first goal in Serie A, a year and a half earlier) his first Scudetto with Milan. 1989 is the special year of the Finals, both for Paolo Maldini and Milan: on May 24 of that year, the Rossoneri’s team, after 20 years, returns European Champions as they beat Steaua Bucharest 4-0: on December 7 arrives the European Super Cup at San Siro with a goal of Evani against Barcelona; on December 17 it is Evani again who scores the winner in the World Club Cup at Tokyo against Nacional Medellini. 1990 is sweet and sour: on May 23 Milan win the Champions Cup again in Vienna against Benfica thanks to a goal by Frank Rijkaard; on July 3 Italy is defeated in the semi-final of the world cup by Argentina; on December 17 Milan returns world champion in Tokyo against Olimpia Asuncion, but Paolo hurts himself to a shoulder.

After two other Scudetti won and also Italian Super Cups, there is France on the horizon. It’s a France who gives and takes. On May 26 1993 in Munich, Olympique Marseille beats Milan in the Champions Cup final, but on December 28 of the same year, the first great recognition for Paolo. In Paris, precisely from the great newspaper L’Equipe, arrives the title of Player of the Year.

On April 17 1994 Milan won its 14th Scudetto, despite equalizing 2-2 at San Siro against Udinese. But it’s not over: on May 18 1994 with Paolo vice-captain, due to the absence of Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta, Milan won the Champions Cup beating the favourites Barcelona, coached by Johan Cruyff. Almost two months later, on July 17, there is another final but less enthusiastic. It’s the Pasadena-Los Angeles, where the Azzurri coached by Arrigo Sacchi lose the World Cup final of USA 94 from the penalty shoot-out against Brazil.

1995 sees Paolo winning the European Super Cup at San Siro against Arsenal on February 8, losing the Champions Cup final in Vienna 1-0 against Ajax of Rijkaard, Seedorf and Kluivert, and reach 500 official games in career with Milan and the national team. This happens in the Uefa Cup, in a game between Milan and Sparta Prague at San Siro, but Paolo still finds the way to celebrate in the league three days later, on November 26, scoring a goal at San Siro in Milan-Piacenza 3-0.

Paolo’s story in the European scene started in the Uefa Cup in 1985, at Auxerre in France. Then on September 7 1988, the debut in the Champions Cup in Bulgaria: Vitocha Sofia-Milan 0-2. The 50th game arrived on February 2 1994: Milan-Parma 0-2 and European Super Cup won by the Emiliani, a healthy defeat which then stirs Milan and a few months later they win the Scudetto-Champions Cup double. From these first 100 games, the most fun win arrived in Denmark (6-0 for Milan) on October 20 1993 at the Parken stadium against Copenhagen.

On March 15 2003, Paolo Maldini plays his 500th match in Serie A. For such an important recurrence, Milan is expected on Saturday evening at Reggio Calabria. The Amaranti’s public, warm and enthusiastic like few others, at the moment of his warming up, chant his name and applaud Paolo Maldini.

On May 28 2003, Paolo raises to the sky of Manchester in England, like his father did exactly 40 years before, the Champions Cup. The wins do not stop: on May 31 Paolo is happy to have won his first Coppa Italia of his career, whereas on August 29 2003, against Porto of Jose Mourinho, a goal by Andriy Shevchenko allows Milan to triumph in the European Super Cup in Montecarlo. On December 14 2003, Boca Juniors beat Milan in the Club World Cup in Yokohama, but in the final Milan will make up for this defeat on December 16 2007, beating 4-2 and without the penalties the first Fifa Club World Cup won by a European club. In between many other things: May 2 2004, Milan-Roma 1-0, 17th Scudetto; August 21 2004, Milan–Lazio 3-0, Italian Super Cup won; May 25, Milan-Liverpool 5-6 from the penalty shoot-outs, Istanbul; May 23 2007, Milan-Liverpool 2-1, Athens; August 31 2007, Milan-Sevilla 3-1, Europeane Super Cup won.

Here are other important numbers of the Captain:

THE 33 GOALS SCORED BY MALDINI
• SERIE A: 29
• CHAMPIONS CUP/CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 3
• COPPA ITALIA: 1

THE 56 DERBY GAMES OF MALDINI
. SERIE A: 42
• CHAMPIONS CUP/CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 4
• COPPA ITALIA: 7
• TROFEO BERLUSCONI: 1
. FRIENDLIES: 2

Full of Goodbyes in the San Siro ?

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini will bid farewell to the San Siro faithful against AS Roma on Sunday (1300 GMT) in what may also be coach Carlo Ancelotti's last home match in charge of the Serie A club.

It will be an emotional occasion for defender Maldini, whose trophy haul since making his league debut for the club in 1985 aged 16 includes seven league titles and five European Cups, before he retires after the season's final game at Fiorentina on May 31.

Former Milan midfielder Ancelotti said his future would be decided after this weekend's clash amid intense speculation that he will take over at Chelsea next season.

According to some reports, he may even announce his departure if second-placed Milan ensure automatic qualification for next season's Champions League on Sunday.

Former Netherlands coach Marco van Basten, Milan director Leonardo, Cagliari boss Massimiliano Allegri and former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard are the favourites to take his place.

Several players have said they hope Ancelotti stays after leading them to Champions League glory in 2003 and 2007 and the league title in 2004.

"If the boss goes, these will have been wonderful years anyway," Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso told the club's in-house TV channel.

"Hope is the last thing to die though. The team is with him. He has been our coach for many years and a special relationship has developed.

"The club and the boss will have to reach an agreement and let's hope they do."

Maldini agreed. "The whole club is behind him," the former Italy captain said this week.

Goodbyes may also be in the air for visitors Roma, with coach Luciano Spalletti reportedly among those in the running to become Juventus boss next year following Claudio Ranieri's sacking on Monday.

Sixth-placed Roma need a win to help fend off competition from Palermo, who are two points behind in seventh, for a place in next season's Europa League.

Caretaker Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara wants to end a seven-match winless run in the league at Siena to keep the Turin club in third place and on course for automatic Champions League qualification, which would boost his chances of landing the job permanently.

Fiorentina, who are one point them behind in fourth -- good for a place in the Champions League qualifying round -- visit virtually doomed bottom side Lecce.

Inter Milan, who retained their title last weekend, travel to mid-table Cagliari on Sunday.

The season's penultimate matches will be played at the same time on Sunday (1300 GMT).

Lazio have already played theirs, winning 1-0 against 19th-placed Reggina on Wednesday to seal the southern club's relegation to Serie B.

The match was brought forward to give UEFA time to prepare Rome's Stadio Olimpico for next week's Champions League final.