Grande Paolo!

Although there may have been some sentiment attached to presenting Paolo the best defender award, that with his fifth European Champion's Cup - as many as Liverpool - and a living example as to what an almost perfect footballer should be off the pitch - an ambassador of football if I may, he did play an important role in the eventual winner's path to victory. Missing only one game in the knockout stages, he was also the man behind Pippo's opener (assist) against AEK that kick-started Milan's campaign.

He deserved it in every sense of the word.

But unfortunately, time does move on and a worthy replacement beckons. Younger players that come to mind are Mexes and Kolo Toure - with Darmain reportedly impressive in the Primavera squad. A few seasons alongside the classy Nesta may deem them capable to cover the Rossoneri backline until a new chapter is opened in the Maldini legacy.

On the Table: Henry, Eto'o, Alves

After winning the coveted Champion's League, it is only natural for other players to find it easier to relate to a great team like AC Milan. A team that was disgraced thanks to Juventus' antics with the refereeing staff on Serie A matches in the previous seasons.

Henry, Samuel Eto'o, and Daniel Alves all have been strongly linked with AC Milan in the recent past, along with the likes of Ronaldinho and Emerson. Some say we have already signed Emerson, and Galliani says they have already signed Ronaldinho (proverbially). Anyhow, there is this much needed realization amongst the management of the club that the team has aged since it's second last UCL win in 2003 and there is a need for fresher blood in the team. Without compensating the traditional style AC Milan has been so successful with, signing now would ensure that we have a stronger 2007/2008 Serie A season.

As Henry has stated his displeasure in the fact that Arsenal are very biased in terms of age when signing a new player, and that they need experience in the team to win anything in the league of Europe. Which is true, as the last time Arsenal won anything was solely due to the presence of the likes of Patrick Vieira, and Sol Campbell. He has his point, and Wenger needs to listen, or risk losing their talismanic forward in Henry.

Samuel Eto'o is pure champion's material. He's a Cameroonian who has played for Real Madrid and Mallorca before coming to Barcelona. He has scored 61 goals at Barca with only 87 appearances, an average of 0.70. A goal in every other game! That is an amazing record. He is fairly young, pacey, skillful and amazing finishing with both his feet. He is the thing AC Milan needs in their attack next season.

Daniel Alves however is a right back with amazing attacking skills. His last two seasons at Sevilla have seen them win the UEFA cup twice in a row. He scores goals going forward, has amazing passing and amazing crossing. Yet, Milan have Oddo. An Italian rightback signed from Lazio in the winter of 2006. not only has he brough the much needed defensive prowess on our right flank, he has amazing attacking vision and good pace. At Lazio, he used to be their captain and their penalty taker. Do we really need Alves right away? I don't think so.

With clubs like Bayern, ManYoo, and Lyon already making their signings, its time Milan made a move with those competition money and gave the fans a dream signing.

Nothing like a David Beckham!

Since the last World Cup in 2006, a lot has gone down. The former Lazio manager Sven Goran leaving the England hot seat, and former Manchester United darling David Beckham succumbing to media and fan pressure to leave the England squad and hand in the captain's arm band.

Since then, the England National Team have found it hard to win against teams other than whipping boys Andorra, and Estonia etc. in their bid to qualify for the Euro 2008 Finals. The current England manager is under pressure to bring home the goods and has been told that he has tinkered quite enough with the squad to know his way around. Steve McClaren has gone from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2 to a 3-5-2. Many argue that a 5-3-2 is actually a 3-5-2 etc. and so on, but the fact of the matter is that there are high expectations yet no results. They lie 4th in Group E. With the starting 11 of England playing in teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and the likes the onus is on Steve to find the right mix and 'win'!

Well, it was not surprising to find that Steve McClaren had to rely on an old foe to help him out of this sticky situation. And that being David Beckham! If anyone doubts the fact that Beckham has had an amazing form of the late for Real Madrid would be living in cave or in the stone-ages. Even Fabio Capello had to admit that the player he saw in Beckham when he came to Real, was really there!

Sky Sports came to know about it through a friend of Real main man Fabio Capello, about what he thought about Beckham's recent form.

"You cannot forget what Beckham has done for Real Madrid this year. He's been brilliant, unbelievable.

"I phone Fabio Capello, I speak to him about once a week. He said 'Giorgio, you can't believe this kid; the turnaround around he's done. We made a big mistake with this player'.

"I said 'you all sure did. It's a shame you're going to lose a player like that to the United States and not see him again in Europe'."

Said Giorgio Chinagila, a former Italian striker.

True, that the fans of European Football will really miss a great player in David Beckham, but I think he did the right thing...! After all, every other great star has the right to think about his wife and kids?! Right, Andrie? And with political statements coming from the club chair about how they would love him and regret letting him go etc. when the club board of Real Madrid was the first one to pounce on Beckham and also Capello earlier this season when they where facing a rough patch, it is good if they parted ways for good with such self-conceited, over demanding employers.

Steve McClaren on the other hand just had to make another simple, and a very obvious decision where clearly the best Englishman on the right-midfield in the World is David Beckham, save for Joe Cole who can also play on the left. Not only is Beckham the best choice for his current form, but his dead ball mastery, crossing, technique and also his vast experience at top level speaks volumes about his importance to the squad.

OK, given that 'he' could not cut it in the finals and that 'he' had a bad World Cup in 2006, but so did the rest 24 players. Yet David Beckham along with Sven were made the scape goats of the disaster, when you had the likes of Lampard, Gerrard, Terry, Ferdinand, Rooney, (Owen), and Joe Cole in the team 'also performing to their brim'.

Steve McClaren also went on to say...

"I've got to pick a squad to win a game, and I think David Beckham can help us to win that game," said McClaren.

"At the end of the day it's my decision and I've made the decision that I think is best for the team.

"I've picked him in the squad and what the starting 11 will be to play Brazil and Estonia will become apparent later on.

"He was absolutely delighted, obviously. He has been a total professional throughout, he has come into form and deserves his recall."

Sadly, in a results based industry, one has to sell their soul to survive. This is what football should not become.

Take good decisions, stick with them, or accept defeat, and move on. We wish David Beckham and the England squad success in their up coming games against Brazil (Friendly) and Estonia (Euro 2008 Qualifier).

Resilience

March 07, 2007: You could cut the tension at the San Siro with a knife. Milan, who were expected to brush aside first timers at this stage of the competition (Champions League, i.e.), Celtic, found themselves heading to extra time, after 180 minutes failed to separate the sides. For most, this meant the end of an era for the dominating side in Europe for the past four years. Failing to beat Celtic, who despite their commendable performances till then, remained far from being Europe’s elite, was the last string.

With the Calciopoli and talismanic forward Adriy Shevchenko’s departure, the Rossoneri were always going to have a grueling season ahead of them; unable to attract talented players to reinforce an ageing team. Their pre-season preparations were hampered by the Azzurri’s World Cup success and their need to qualify to the Champions League group stage via the qualifying rounds.

After a composed start, they found themselves doing relatively well in Serie A and in arguably the easiest group in the Champions League. But then, the inevitable had to happen – players ran out of steam and the injury list grew. Moral had taken quite a beating after losing to mediocre Serie A sides. Proceedings hit an all-time low when their safe place, the Champions League, eluded them – losing their last two games in the group stage. It was evident the team needed a break.

Malta couldn’t have come at a better time for the whole team - Ancelotti inclusive. It was back to the drawing boards for the tactician who revealed his plans for the second half of the season. He mentioned a return to his 4-4-1-1 formation with Brazilian ace Kaká set to play as a withdrawn second striker and veteran Clarence Seedorf supporting him.

When the season resumed, the team looked to be en route to recovery. Good results in January were boosted with the acquisitions of the cup-tied El Fenómeno, Ronaldo and Massimo Oddo formerly of Lazio. Injured players started returning and suddenly, the side began winning and confidence grew as a result. Then came Celtic …

A side who had to beat Manchester United (still regarded by a few as the best team in Europe this season) and Benfica to reach the knock out rounds. A tough and tight game in Glasgow saw them hold off an upbeat Milan side who dominated play – still a goal seemed elusive and despite the many chances created, Milan failed to capitalize. To make matters worse, with Ronaldo cup-tied, Alberto Gilardino, the lone front man, epitomized the frustration in the side with an embarrassing dive for a penalty that saw him booked. The return leg was a tense affair. Celtic’s brave performance contained the Rossoneri and gave them a few scares in return. Once again, Milan dominated play, yet found themselves going close on many occasions yet failing to break the deadlock. A frenzied last 10 minutes of normal regulation time witnessed an unsuccessful Nakamura penalty claim, Artur Boruc deny Maldini, Seedorf and Pirlo, and Kaká hitting the woodwork. Luck didn’t seem to be on their side, but Milan kept on pushing … relentless to prove they were not done; that they weren’t going to be a victim of another upset; that their era had not come to an end.

And then it happened. Minutes after extra-time kicked off, even though only 29 (going on to 30 this month), veteran Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini picked up a lose ball from Evander Sno, passing it to Kaká still in Milan’s half. What followed probably best describes the Brazilian’s part in Milan’s run to the Finals in Athens. First, he showed his strength, shrugging off a challenge from Neil Lennon. Then, a burst of pace and the capability to run with the ball faster than most withd then it happened. Minutes after extra-time kicked off, Snalty claim me occassions Europe this season) and Benfica to reach tout it, saw him get passed McManus with a delicate touch that evaded the defender, and summoned Boruc out of his goal. Finally, Milan’s golden boy had the composure to thread the ball between the legs of the goalkeeper, guiding the Rossoneri to their fifth consecutive quarter final appearance in the process.

It would be wrong to solely credit Kaká for their European success this season. The living legend, Paolo Maldini, has been influential in not only leading the team, but stepping up his performances (at his age) when the team needed him most, with Nesta and Kaladze injured. His ability to work with any partner in the center of defense is admirable – he marshaled Bonera, Oddo and Janku against Celtic. The two fullbacks, although not outstanding defensively, have attacked well and have given the side the width it lacked last season. Then there is the midfield – World Cup winning duo, Gattuso and Pirlo, have proved why they are among the world’s best, and how they make a fantastic pair. Ambrosini is having one of the best seasons in his entire career, and Clarence Seedorf seems better than ever. In the quarter and semi finals, they managed to impose their game and did well disrupting their opposition’s play. Seedorf seemed to have put his poorer performances earlier on in the season behind him and was nothing less than brilliant.

It is this experience and technical skill throughout the squad, as well as the tactical awareness of their coach and key players, that has made them impose their style of play in recent games. n in the season behind him and Almost every player looks comfortable and composed on the ball. This aspect of the team buys them just that little more time, than their opponents, to construct their very measured moves. When you have these levels of skill and experience throughout the squad and add the brilliance of Kaka’ to it, you have a formidable package.

That said, the main reason why this Milan side has grown from strength to strength is not because of the January additions; or the players that recovered from injuries; or Ancelotti’s tactical schemes. It is because of the will, in this special group of players, to succeed. That motivation, arguably, has been lacking in the sides after their 2002/2003 triumph. Even though fantastic as they were, this season’s side seems to want victory more.

The Calciopoli; Losing Shevchenko; An injury crisis; Serie A disappointment; Poor finish to the Champions League group stages; First 180 minutes of the Celtic tie; Van Buyten’s late equalizer at the San Siro; Rooney’s at Old Trafford … all these disappointments, and yet, the most important date in Club Football’s calendar will see the Rossoneri grace the occasion once again. Very few footballers have experienced Istanbul-like disappointments. If Milan win their seventh Champions League trophy, it will be because of the resilience in this side.

PS. Admittedly, as some may have guessed, I am a Milan fan and it would bring me great pleasure to witness Maldini lift his fifth European Champions Cup. However, the team deserve much credit for making it to the final, and I'll be proud of them regardless of the result. In Liverpool, Milan will meet a strong side that play a completely different game than Milan's previous conquests. Their record in this competition demands respect and Benitez' ability to read and react to games is second to none. Like Milan, they also have been focusing on this competition this season, which would spark the debate going around as to whether a team, in this day, can win both its national league and Europe's elite competition. I think there isn't much between the sides and labeling Milan as a favorite is a mistake. Nevertheless, don't stop now, Rossoneri ...