Totti winner ruins Maldini's San Siro
farewell
Paolo Maldini's last match for AC Milan at San Siro
ended in a 3-2 loss to AS Roma on Sunday, with the 40-year-old
defender's side beaten by Francesco Totti's late free
kick.
Maldini, who made his Milan debut as a gangly
16-year-old substitute back in 1985, has won a string of trophies
including seven Italian league titles and five European Cups with
the club.
But there was no happy ending in front of the home fans as his
side twice had to equalize before finally being beaten by Totti's
free kick in the 85th minute.
John Arne Riise opened the scoring for Roma just before
halftime, but Massimo Ambrosini brought Milan level in the
75th.
Jeremy Menez restored Roma's lead five minutes later, Ambrosini
drew Milan level again, but Totti stepped up to score the
winner.
Ambrosini, who had kept his side in the game, was then sent off
two minutes from time for arguing with referee Andrea De Marco.
Milan's last game of the season takes Maldini and his teammates
to Fiorentina next weekend.
After Roma had refused to follow the script by
running out 3-2 winners on Maldini’s final day out at the San
Siro, came another twist in the party celebrations, as the
Curva Sud displayed a banner that was sure to spark
controversy.
As the legendary captain did a final lap of honour after the game,
the Milan Ultras displayed a large banner directed towards another
legendary captain, Franco Baresi. Under a large number 6, the words
“there is only one captain” were there for all to
see.
At the same time, there were even some whistles from the same
section of the stands in a display of unbelievable disrespect for a
captain who has given a life of service to the Rossoneri.
Despite the disrespect of the Curva, the remainder of the
stadium gave a prolonged standing ovation to Maldini, who was quite
obviously moved by their display of affection.
