Paolo Maldini

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Maldini trusts in veteran keeper

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini insists the team have total faith in fellow veteran Valerio Fiori, who will be in goal at Arsenal on Wednesday.Fiori is set for a first appearance since 2003 in the Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

With regular number one Dida already out with a back injury and understudy Zeljko Kalac a major doubt because of a dislocated finger, 38-year-old Fiori may well get a call into action.

Fiori has made just two competitive appearances in eight seasons with the Rossoneri, but maintains he is ready if needed.

Maldini, who made his 1,000th appearance for club and country in the draw with Parma last weekend, maintains his team-mate will be up to the task.

He declared: "The team have full confidence in all three of our goalkeepers. I am sure he will do well.

"Obviously, he may be nervous in the first minute, but we have faith."

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Arsenal 0:0 AC Milan - match report

Zeljko Kalac and the crossbar allowed Milan to hold Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The Rossoneri welcomed Zeljko Kalac, Clarence Seedorf and Alexandre Pato back from injury, the 18-year-old making his Champions League debut after three weeks out with a sprained ankle. Nelson Dida's back and a serious Ronaldo knee injury ruled them out. As Manuel Almunia was sidelined, former Milan flop Jens Lehmann started in the Gunners' goal.

The Italians played with white shirts and black shorts, an unusual away strip. They had the first chance after four minutes, as Pato flicked the ball over a defender and his shot was delfected out for a corner off Kolo Toure'. Seedorf's resulting set-piece was flapped away from danger by Lehmann.

The goalkeeper immediately launched an Emmanuel Adebayor counter and Massimo Oddo's sliding tackle was decisive. On the corner Adebayor was given a talking to for an overhead kick that booted Kakha Kaladze in the face.

Toure' picked up an early injury and was replaced by Philippe Senderos. An Adebayor header was comfortably caught by Kalac, then Eduardo came sliding in just too late to meet Sagna's cross from the right.

Kaka failed to get past Cesc Fabregas after Oddo has skipped over Gael Clichy, but Pato was rather harshly booked as he tried to outsprint Sagnol and ran into the back of him.

Eduardo couldn't get any power on his header from a Fabregas free kick at the back post. Adebayor sent Maldini down and cut back for Mathieu Flamini, whose low shot was easily held by Kalac.

Pato sprinted into the box and Senderos did well to protect the ball. Fabregas was totally unmarked just inside the box on 42 minutes, but Adebayor's pass was too long and Milan breathed a sigh of relief.

Moments later Kalac did well to beat away a Flamini cross-shot after he had skipped past Andrea Pirlo. Straight after the restart Alessandro Nesta went down with an injury and before Marek Jankulovski could replace him, the corner was taken with Kaladze's clearance skimming the upright. This moved Maldini into the centre.

Kaka managed an odd looping cross from the byeline that scared Lehmann, but Arsenal went on the counter and Alexander Hleb rolled back for Eboue' to flash a shot past the far post. Adebayor did hit the back of the net, but was clearly offside.

Kalac came rushing out to smother the ball at Adebayor's feet from six yards. The Gunners were pouring forward now and Eduardo's left-foot strike sailed over the bar from the edge of the box.

It was a very open game now and Kaka threaded through for the unmarked Oddo, who drilled well wide from a promising position. At the other end Maldini got a decisive touch to knock Fabregas' brilliant cross off the foot of Adebayor clear on goal.

Kaka spun round and fired wide of the near post from distance, but there was absolute chaos on 70 miutes when Pato took advantage of a lucky ricochet and the ball was trapped in a sea of legs before Arsenal managed to clear.

Eduardo was clear on Adebayor's pass, but missed so badly it nearly hit the corner flag. He was substituted immediately after by Nicklas Bendtner and moments later Kalac got down well to smother a Fabregas effort, then Kaladze performed a crucial tackle on Bendtner.

Pato was suffering from cramp as he sprinted towards the box and made way for Alberto Gilardino. Eboue was booked for a dramatic dive over Jankulovski, as he ran into the Czech's leg.

Senderos had to close down Kaka as he was lining up the shot from eight yards, then Adebayor's volley was gathered by Kalac on his knees and the Australian goalkeeper plucked another strike out of the air.

Emerson was Ancelotti's final change for Seedorf and Gilardino's glancing header from a Pirlo corner kick was smothered by Lehmann. Another two Pirlo set-pieces were off target, but Arsenal wasted a golden opportunity created by Adebayor's header on, Bendtner eventually ballooning over.

Theo Walcott came on for Eboue' for the four minutes of stoppages and his volley from a cleared corner was well held by the secure Kalac, who was playing with a dislocated index finger in his right hand.

Arsenal thought they had scored in the final seconds of injury time, but Adebayor nodded Walcott's cross on to the bar with Kalac finally beaten from five yards.

Arsenal: Lehmann; Sagna, Gallas, Toure (Senderos 7), Clichy; Eboue' (Walcott 89), Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb; Adebayor, Eduardo (Bendtner 74)

Milan: Kalac; Oddo, Nesta (Jankulovski 50), Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf (Emerson 85); Pato (Gilardino 77)

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Fans Beg Maldini To Keep Playing

AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini has been flooded with messages from supporters begging him not to retire from football.

The 39-year-old has announced that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season, following almost a quarter-of-a-century at the very top.

On Wednesday night Maldini made his 1001st professional appearance during Milan’s 0-0 Champions League last 16 first leg draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The defender put in a brilliant performance that belied his years and was arguably the man-of-the-match. This display has led to hundreds of Milan supporters begging him to stay.

“Paolo change your mind”, “Il Capitano, don't leave football, you can still give a lot,” “Maldini unique, he must not give up”, “Paolo continue to lead us, continue to play” – these are just a few of the messages he has received.

Maldini however seems unlikely to change his decision, as he explained in the aftermath of the match with Arsenal.

"I think that it will be difficult to change my mind,” he said.

“From the outside you only see the positive things, those that go, but in reality I often find myself with some minor injury which does not allow me to remain calm.

“Continuing would be difficult. After all, my football career gave me a lot, therefore I feel extremely satisfied."

Maldini has stated on a number of occasions that he hopes to end his career in the perfect fashion by lifting the Champions League in Moscow on May 23.

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INFINITE CAPTAIN

Paolo Maldini, the symbole of this Milan, continues to surprise. Following the game in London, against Arsenal, the critics praised him and the fans now beg him to continue his glorious career.

MILAN - He arrived to his first game...after 1,000 played amongst the professionals, Paolo Maldini has gathered just praises following the game against Arsenal. The game presented itself as one of the most difficult and delicate ones of the season, but he did not limit himself to lead the team. No, he almost scored, with a header, he defended, he pushed forward just like he had 20 years less and he covered two roles: that of a full-back and that of a central defender.

The captain said that at the end of the season he will retire, but after having seen him in the conditions of Wednesday evening, many are begging him to change his mind. First of all the fans: 'Paolo change your mind', 'Captain, don't leave football, you can still give a lot,' 'Maldini unique, he must not give up', 'Paolo continue to lead us, continue to play'. These are some of the messages launched to the one who the English have been calling for some time 'History Man'. It was the English daily newspapers who came up with this word, 'History Man', the symbol of the game. It was the Daily Mirror to name Paolo Maldini like this, following the win in the Champions League of Milan at Manchester against Juventus. Manchester, in 2003, Paolo Maldini captain of Milan. Wembley, in 1963, Cesare Maldini captain of Milan. Things which happen to a few. No actually to no one. Only to him and only here.

Following the London performance, not only the fans, but even the critics (and it couldn't be otherwise) are on his side. The average vote of the media was around 7.5. Not bad for one who in some moments was criticized for his age and performances... But this is also his strength. Yes, because after thet game, the captain revealed what he believes to be a bit his secret: "The passion for this sport, the enjoyment I have every time I go on the pitch. the love for this shirt.@ In just one word, we can talk about the 'sense of duty' of a great professional. To those who invted him not to leave the football world, he responds like this: "I think that it will be difficult to change my mind. From the outside you only see the positive things, those that go, but in reality I often find myself with some minor injury which does not allow me to remain calm. Continuing would be difficult. After all, my football career gave me a lot, therefore I feel extremely satisfied." However, rarely Paolo uses the term 'fulfilled', even because his dream is that of closing with his farewell game of...Moscow.

Balanced champion, the Milan captain has always been respectful in the wins and calibrated in the defeats. No excess in celebrations, no drama. The way of Paolo Maldini has always been more adequate. Also for this, starting very young, he reached and surpassed the 1000 official games quote. These are some important careers of his career:

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH MILAN: 860

DEBUT GAME: Udinese-Milan 1-1, 20th January 1985

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM: 126 (Record)

DEBUT GAME: Yugoslavia-Italy 1-1, 31st March 1988

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE UNDER 21: 12

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE OLYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM: 1

PAOLO MALDINI'S WINS WITH MILAN:

7 SCUDETTI - 5 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 1 WORLD CLUB CUP - 2 INTERCONTINENTAL CUPS - 5 EUROPEAN SUPER CUPS - 5 ITALIAN SUPER CUPS - 1 COPPA ITALIA

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:

7 September 1988: VITOCHIA SOFIA-MILAN 0-2, Paolo Maldini's debut in the Champions Cup

22 March 2003: MILAN-JUVENTUS 2-1, 500th game of Paolo Maldini in Serie A

11 March 2007: INTER-MILAN 2-1, 600th game of Paolo Maldini in Serie A

26 November 2003: AJAX-MILAN 0-1, 100th game of Paolo Maldini in Champions Cup/Champions League

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Catania - Milan

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Maldini, Oddo, Simic

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Seedorf

ATTACKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato, Paloschi

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Catania 1:1 AC Milan - match report

Scorers: Pato 55 (M), Spinesi 63 ©

Alexandre Pato's opener was cancelled out in Catania, but the home side can complain at two disallowed goals.

The Sicilians had lost four on the trot, but had already defeated Milan over two legs on their way to the Coppa Italia semi-final earlier this season. Having said that, their last Serie A victory over the Rossoneri was in May 1963. Kaka was out with a knee injury and Andrea Pirlo rested.

Alexandre Pato was immediately dangerous, halted for a very tight offside position and a left-foot strike charged down. Silvestre just failed to get on the end of a set-piece at the back post.

Pato got down the right channel and sparked a promising move, but Clarence Seedorf's finish was deflected out for a corner by the desperate Mark Edusei with the goalkeeper sliding in.

Zeljko Kalac bravely plucked a Gennaro Sardo cross off Giuseppe Mascara's foot, causing pain to the little finger he dislocated just over a week ago.

Pato continued to test Ciro Polito from distance and Pippo Inzaghi nodded a Marcos Cafu cross just past the post.

In the second half Seedorf's free kick was too high to trouble Polito, while at the other end Martinez failed to make the most of a promising opportunity.

The disappointing match sprung to life thanks to 18-year-old Pato. He shook off three Catania players 25 metres out, then unleashed a right-foot snapshot that bounced just in front of Polito to slip into the far bottom corner of the net.

Inzaghi also scored on 62 minutes, but it was correctly disallowed for an offside position.

It proved decisive, as moments later substitute Gionatha Spinesi equalised for Cataia, springing the offside trap to nod in a Vargas cross from the left. Spinesi had only been on the field for four minutes and was surprisingly out of the starting XI after coming under pressure from fans for missing a penalty last week.

Catania hit the back of the net again soon after, but it was disallowed for Silvestri's soft push on Daniele Bonera. Kalac blocked a Martinez header, as the Sicilians were now pouring forward.

The Elefanti had a second goal disallowed for a tight Colucci offside position, but Milan seemed to lose all momentum after Inzaghi's attempt was ruled out.

Polito got a scare from Pato late on, but neither side was able to get past the 1-1 scoreline.

Catania: Polito; Sardo (Spinesi 59), Silvestri, Stovini, Silvestre, Varagas; Colucci, Edusei, Baiocco; Martinez (Alvarez 84), Mascara

Milan: Kalac; Cafu (Oddo 67), Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Brocchi (Gattuso 79), Emerson, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Pato, Inzaghi (Gilardino 77)

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MILAN-LAZIO

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Darmian, Digao, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Oddo;

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Caraglia, Emerson, Gattuso, Gianola, Gourcuff, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Aubameyang, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato, Paloschi.

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MILAN-ARSENAL

GOALKEEPERS: Kalac, Fiori, Offredi

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Simic

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Gattuso, Emerson, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Paloschi, Pato, Kaka.

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AC Milan 0:2 (0:2 on aggregate) Arsenal - match report

Scorers: Fabregas 84 (A), Adebayor 92 (A)

Cesc Fabregas performed a goalline clearance and scored Arsenal's late winner, as Milan's defence of the Champions League is ended.

With the first leg ending goalless, the Rossoneri needed a victory to qualify and threw on a trident attack with Kaka and Alexandre Pato supporting Champions League Final hero Pippo Inzaghi. Clarence Seedorf was not even fit for the bench, joining Marek Jankulovski, Serginho, Nelson Dida and Ronaldo on the sidelines. Arsenal made the trip without Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky and Kolo Toure', but Manuel Almunia returned between the posts.

Alexander Hleb blasted well over from distance, but the first real chance on seven minutes saw Pato dribbled past four Arsenal defenders and his left-foot strike was deflected out for a corner off Sagna.

From the resulting spot-kick the ball squirmed all the way through and Cesc Fabregas required a goalline clearance at the near post. The move continued and a cross was pushed off the head of Kakha Kaladze from seven yards.

Almunia rushed out to clear from Pato outside the box and on the counter Abou Diaby curled past the far post. It was mostly Milan in the opening stages and Inzaghi couldn't get enough power on his volley to truly trouble Almunia.

The Rossoneri had a fantastic chance on 19 minutes with Kaka sprinting away from Fabregas and crossing for the unmarked Pato at the back post, but the youngster hesitated and chipped a weak effort straight at Almunia.

Moments later Inzaghi was sent clear on goal by a Philippe Senderos header, but Gael Clichy dived in with a crucial clearance. From the corner Inzaghi's free header was off target.

Oddo held up the ball for Kaka to cut in from the right channel and hit a low snapshot inches past the base of the near post. Alessandro Nesta was struggling with a right thigh injury and passed straight to Emmanuel Adebayor, his strike fingertipped over the bar by Zeljko Kalac.

Hleb was harshly booked for simulation as he fell under a Nesta challenge just outside the box. Arsenal started to come out of their shell and Fabregas cracked a right-foot shot from the D against the bar with Kalac beaten.

Adebayor lost his footing in the box and allowed Gennaro Gattuso to clear, then the Arsenal striker scuffed from another good position. Kaka was clearly not 100 per cent fit yet after his injury worries and opted to pass to Pato rather than aim one of his trademark runs straight at the defence in acres of space.

Milan started the second half in similarly shaky fashion, as a corner came all the way to the back post for Senderos to fire straight at a grateful Kalac.

Pato drilled well wide from distance, but Andrea Pirlo gave the ball away to Adebayor foolishly in the D and Milan were fortunate Emmanuel Eboue' fired wide with only Kalac to beat.

The Rossoneri fought back as a dipping Pirlo free kick bounced just in front of Almunia and he pushed it round the upright with his forearm. Kaka went on a slalom dragging two Gunners behind him and fired wide of the near post, while Pato also shot off target.

Alberto Gilardino replaced Inzaghi and Theo Walcott came on for Eboue', as both sides tried to inject some fresh legs into attack with 20 minutes remaining. A corner was cleared to Oddo, whose snapshot hit Gilardino in front of Almunia.

There was absolute chaos in the Milan box, though. A free kick ricocheted around the area and Kalac used his legs to block Walcott's shot, eventually managing to smother it at the feet of Adebayor.

Pato didn't realise he was on side and a good counter was wasted, but soon after he skipped past Clichy and flashed a left-foot shot across the face of goal with a deflection, though the corner was not given.

Pato attempted an audacious curling shot from the edge of the area and it was easy for Almunia when he should perhaps have passed to Gilardino.

It needed a moment out of nowhere to break the deadlock in this tie and it came from Fabregas. He unleashed a sudden snapshot from 25 yards that may have taken a deflection off Nesta's elbow. on its way past Kalac at the near post.

This meant Milan needed two goals in the last five minutes to qualify, but their heads were down now and Arsenal found it easy to get a second on the counter. Kaladze failed to stop Walcott down the right and he crossed for a simple Adebayor tap-in.

Milan: Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka; Inzaghi (Gilardino 69), Pato

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy; Eboue’ (Walcott 70), Flamini, Fabregas, Diaby; Hleb (Gilberto 89); Adebayor

Ref: Plautz (Aus)

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