Paolo Maldini’s final match in front of the San Siro crowd ended in disappointment as AS Roma stunned AC Milan 3-2 on Sunday.

Maldini was making his last appearance in the red and black Milan shirt in front of his home fans but Francesco Totti’s late free-kick pooped the party for the 40-year-old veteran, who made his debut for the club in 1985 as a 16-year-old.

And despite Massimo Ambrosini’s brace in the final quarter of an hour, Roma snatched a vital three points that secured them a place in next season’s Europa League. The result didn’t do anything, though, to stop Milan’s fans paying homage to a player who has graced the San Siro pitch for 24 years.

No-one left the building as Maldini performed a lap of honour to rousing applause, although a small minority spoiled the atmosphere by chanting slogans against Maldini. Even so, coach Carlo Ancelotti, who may too leave Milan at the end of the season, said it did nothing to detract from the generally generous reception the club captain received.

“A small minority protested against certain things he did. It was a drop in an ocean full of affection and passion, hence insignificant,” he said before deflection talk of his own future.

“Today there’s no reason to talk about that because we’re still playing (there’s one more match to play).

“We have a week to prepare well. Hence we will talk about all this after Florence (Milan’s last game is away to Fiorentina).”

The hosts had the first clear chance of the game just before the half hour mark as Pato was sent clean through down the inside left channel. He opened up his body and brought the ball back onto his right foot to try to curl the ball around Roma goalkeeper Artur but the Brazilian got the slightest touch to deflect it wide.

Maldini San Siro Swansong Turns Sour With Roma Defeat … read more »

AC Milan want to extend former England captain David Beckham’s loan period from Los Angeles Galaxy till the end of the season the Italian club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani said on Monday.

Beckham, 33, is meant to return to the American club on March 9 but AC Milan have been trying desperately to either buy him – which they failed with what was termed by the Americans as a ridiculous offer of 3million dollars – or extend his loan after impressing since he arrived.

“I hope I succeed in sorting it out that he stays till June 30,” Galliani told the club’s television station.

“After that he can go back to Los Angeles, before returning to us next January (Beckham will cost nothing come November 30).

“That is what we are trying to do. It is complicated as we always knew it would be, but we are still trying.”

Beckham is keen to stay with Milan as he believes the higher level of competition helps his chances of figuring regularly in England coach Fabio Capello’s plans and should England qualify making it to a fourth successive World Cup finals next year.

David Beckham admitted on Friday he has become frustrated over the protracted transfer saga surrounding his proposed move from Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan.

Beckham’s mood was not helped by Milan’s departure from the UEFA Cup on Thursday night as once again they blew a lead before crashing out of Europe’s second-tier competition to Werder Bremen.

Milan were 2-0 up at half-time but the Germans fought back to draw 2-2 and qualify for the next round on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

But it is the uncertainty surrounding his proposed permanent move to Milan that has left the on-loan Galaxy player feeling blue.

Asked if he was frustrated, Beckham simply replied: “Of course. There’s a lot going on and a lot being said and every day there’s someone asking me questions.

“It is being said every day but so far I’ve been able to concentrate on the football.”

However, Beckham admitted that he felt in the dark over the transfer and said he knew of no new developments.

Last week Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said the Italian giants would not be increasing their reported three million dollars bid for the 33-year-old former England captain.

Beckham Admits Milan Frustration … read more »

Milan               2 – 2                 Bremen
Pirlo 27(pen), Pato 33          Pizarro 68, 78

Claudio Pizarro masterminded a dramatic Werder Bremen turnaround at San Siro, beating Dida with two second-half headers to send favourites AC Milan crashing out of the UEFA Cup on the away-goals rule.

Dramatic turnaround
Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Germany, first-half goals from Andrea Pirlo and Pato looked to have smoothed Milan’s path to the Round of 16, but it will be Thomas Schaaf’s side who play AS Saint-Etienne in the next round after Pizarro atoned for an early miss with two goals in the second half to dump Carlo Ancelotti’s side out of the competition.

Pizarro Puts Paid to Milan’s Big Plans … read more »

Juventus and AC Milan both recorded impressive victories to stay second and go third respectively in Serie A but AS Roma’s five-game winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt following a 3-2 setback away to Calcio Catania.

Brazilian doubles
Milan trounced fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls Udinese Calcio 5-1 at San Siro with Brazilian duo Pato and Kaká both registering twice. The hosts had scored four by the break, Clarence Seedorf also finding the net, with a solitary Antonio Di Natale strike the only response from the visitors. Kaká rounded off the scoring seven minutes after the interval to confirm Udinese’s sixth league loss in their last seven games.

Strong response
Juve started impressively in Bergamo against Atalanta BC and were two goals to the good by half-time. Alessandro Del Piero gave the visitors a 31st-minute lead and defender Nicola Legrottaglie doubled the advantage soon after. Veteran striker Christian Vieri replied for the hosts just after the break but Amauri made it 3-1 late on with his eleventh league goal of the campaign.

Masterful Morimoto
Roma, who like Juve drew English opposition in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round in the form of Arsenal FC, were three down at Catania by the 54th minute, Japanese forward Takayuki Morimoto scoring twice. Two goals inside five minutes from Mirko Vučinić and Jérémy Menez gave the Giallorossi hope, but the home side held on to collect the points.

Viola victorious
In the battle of two UEFA Cup contenders, ACF Fiorentina got the better of UC Sampdoria with Riccardo Montolivo scoring the game’s only goal. That win took the Viola above SSC Napoli, who lost 1-0 at Torino FC. Genoa CFC deepened bottom side AC Chievo Verona’s woe with a late winner while US Lecce and Cagliari Calcio had to settle for home points against Bologna FC and Reggina Calcio respectively.