Maldini San Siro Swansong Turns Sour With Roma Defeat

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.

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