Clarence Seedorf has been in fine fettle this term (@Getty Images)

Evergreen Seedorf eyes new prize
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
by Richard Aikman
from Milan

A European champion with three different clubs, AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf knows a thing or two about winning the UEFA Champions League - and ominously for Liverpool FC, he believes this is "one of my best campaigns".

Ajax upbringing
Still only 31, it seems Seedorf has been around forever. The Netherlands midfielder first came to prominence when he broke into the AFC Ajax side as a teenager and, barely a month after his 19th birthday, clinched his first UEFA Champions League in 1995. More glittering prizes followed at Real Madrid CF, including a second European crown, before his move to Milan from FC Internazionale Milano in 2002 prefaced a third UEFA Champions League title. No other player has achieved the feat with as many clubs.

'Desire greater'
Yet rather than look to wind down such a prosperous playing career, Seedorf remains as hungry as ever. "The desire is even greater now because I'm coming towards the end of my career," he told uefa.com. "You want to take as many trophies home as possible. The clock is ticking. But the point is you acquire the awareness about what you need to do to get results; to keep trying to find ways of getting the best out of yourself and the team.

Every season here at Milan we adopt the same approach and our goal is to constantly try to win; it becomes second nature — Clarence Seedorf

Team ethic
"In the end this is a team game," he continued. "I'd never have been able to achieve everything I have done in my career by myself. The atmosphere at your club is key. Every season here at Milan we adopt the same approach and our goal is to constantly try to win; it becomes second nature." It would be easy to pass this off as hyperbole were it not supported by the hard fact that in six seasons, the Rossoneri have gone all the way to the UEFA Champions League final twice, to the semi-finals three times and the quarter-finals once.

'Best season'
Seedorf, who has also played for UC Sampdoria, is still delivering. Since Carlo Ancelotti elected to play with only one recognised striker in January, Seedorf has taken a more advanced midfield role alongside Kaká. He is relishing the freedom, contributing seven Serie A goals and three UEFA Champions League strikes. "This is definitely one of my best [UEFA] Champions League campaigns," he said. "It's about performing at the right moment. It's important to keep learning and improving, however long you've been around, and I'm enjoying my role a lot more now."

Kaká partnership
Seedorf is particularly savouring the UEFA Champions League this term, scoring in the second legs of the Rossoneri's quarter-final and semi-final ties and setting up Filippo Inzaghi and Kaká in both matches with clever assists. His partnership with the Brazilian, in particular, is proving effective. "Kaká is fundamental for us," he said. "We both had to take on more responsibility this season with players leaving, and luckily we have scored lots of goals.

Special understanding
"The understanding has been growing. We have always got on well and it was always just a question of time. It is a special partnership we have, but it is difficult to put your finger on why or how we manage to tune into each other the way we do." As far as Kaká is concerned the feeling is very much mutual. "Seedorf has been essential," said the Brazilian international. "He is the kind of player who gives his best when it counts. He played great games against [FC] Bayern [München] and United. You need players like him to win big trophies." Given Seedorf's track record it is difficult to disagree.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Kaka: I want to make history

	Inspired by his religious beliefs, Kaka is eager to help AC Milan overcome Liverpool when the sides meet again in the UEFA Champions League final.
	(AFP)
	Paco Serinelli

(FIFA.com) 21 May 2007

In September 2000, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite dived into a swimming pool that was not deep enough, cracked his spine and was considered fortunate not to be left paralysed for life. During the long road to recovery, he made a list of 11 things he wanted to achieve in his life. Now only one remains unfulfilled. On Wednesday night in Athens, he will have a chance to put that right.

Ahead of a UEFA Champions League final reunion with Liverpool, the Brazilian, better known as Kaka, who is the top scorer in this season's competition, tells FIFA.com about the importance of his religious faith, how he has improved as a player this season, why the best is yet to come, and how he plans to fulfil his destiny and help AC Milan become continental champions for a seventh time.

FIFA.com: You are not the only footballer to talk openly about a belief in God, but it appears that for you it is especially central to your life?
Kaka: During my upbringing the Bible played a big role. The gospel is very important for me, not only as a person but also as a footballer. It's part of me and my existence, but of course working hard and training intensively are also important - we all have to do that. But whenever the impossible becomes possible, then my belief and faith in God helps me. That is something I know for sure.

You now seem much better able to cope with the physical aspects of the game than when you first came to Europe. Is that something you have had to do a lot of work on?
I've been doing extra workouts to become stronger. At my last club Sao Paulo I began with power training and at Milan I continued and now I'm physically in great shape for football at this level. So even after a long season with lots of matches, I don't feel tired.

That must be a real advantage with the UEFA Champions League final coming up?
Being perfectly honest we never thought we'd be champions of Italy after the eight-point deduction, so we just wanted to make sure that we finished third or fourth to enable us to play in the Champions League next season. In that respect, we have been more focused on the European matches.

AC Milan went through a sticky patch during the winter, but overall this has been a great season for the team and it seems as if you have been preparing to peak at the right time.
That's a fair analysis, but we didn't plan it that way. Though of course we are happy that we are now at our strongest at a point where we will have to play the biggest match of our campaign. 

Kaka’s potency in front of goal has helped AC Milan eliminate Celtic, Bayern Munich and Manchester United en route to the UEFA Champions League final.

(AFP)

Thomas Lohnes

And your own form has been exceptional, especially in the Champions League.
I think that I can still improve but I do feel that I'm playing better than before. It's difficult to pin down the specific aspects that I can still improve, but I feel that you can always become better. I aim to show that this is possible next season.

Another AC Milan player who has been in exceptional form is Clarence Seedorf. You seem to have struck up a terrific partnership in midfield.
For Milan, it's essential that Clarence plays and when he does he performs well at the highest level. Against Bayern Munich he played a super game, and he was also fantastic against Manchester United. If you can do that, then you're a big player.

Do you regard Wednesday's final as a revenge match, given Milan's defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final?
No, that's not the case. Liverpool beat us then and apparently they had the right to win the title then. So now we have to show that we have the right to claim the prize. I'm focused only on winning the match and it has nothing to do with revenge. I want to make history by making sure that my name and the name of my club AC Milan are remembered as winners of the 2006/2007 Champions League. We have put all past matches behind us, as it doesn't help to analyse where it went wrong. That's pointless. The only thing that encounter proved is that, in football, everything is possible. We now have two years more experience and have played numerous top-level matches since then; that's something we will benefit from, particularly the younger players like me.

Carlo Ancelotti has said he will do everything possible to avoid a penalty shootout. Presumably that is a sentiment that you share?
I can understand that. This season I've already missed one against Fiorentina, and though I scored in the last final against Liverpool, the result still went against us. I can't believe that any team would be happy about, or plan for, a penalty shootout. Okay, Liverpool beat Chelsea that way (in this season's semi-finals) but I'm sure they would have preferred to have done so in normal time. I've seen Liverpool regularly this season and I think that they're a very good team. Tactically, they are almost perfect and the coaching is very good. On top of that they have a typical English spirit.

Which Liverpool players have impressed you most?
Steven Gerrard is without a doubt the big organiser and animator. If he was not in the team on Wednesday I would be very happy.

You are the top scorer in this season's competition with ten goals. That is a very good return for an attacking midfielder.
Scoring goals isn't my target. I am and always will be the playmaker. But of course it's nice to have scored so many. During the final I'm only concerned with winning and certainly not with who scores for us.

Turning to speculation regarding your future, it has been reported that Real Madrid remain interested in you. Would a move to Spain interest you?
I often get asked this question, but as long as I play for Milan, I always give the same answer: I have a contract until 2011 and I'll respect that contract. If Milan say they want to sell me, then and only then will I think about leaving. 

Despite being a wanted man, Kaka would like to remain at AC Milan, where he hopes he will be joined by some of the world’s top players, including his Brazil team-mate Ronaldinho (R).

(AFP)

Antonio Scorza

Your younger brother Digao is also in Italy now, playing for Rimini in Serie B. And between AC and Inter Milan, there are nine other Brazilians playing in the city. Does that make it feel something of a home from home?
Of course that helps immensely (having my brother here). As for the Brazilian players who play for Inter, naturally we're all aware of the rivalry between the clubs but that doesn't affect us, as we're all friends. Away from football we see one another frequently. If some of us play in a different shirt that isn't important; it doesn't matter when you're friends.

AC Milan's vice president Adriano Galliano recently said he would like Andriy Shevchenko to return to the San Siro. Shevchenko is due to be in Athens to watch you play on Wednesday. Would you like to have him back in the side?
I know that it will be difficult for him seeing his friends playing while he is only able to watch from the stand. But I'm happy that we don't have him as an opponent as Andriy is still a very good footballer. I'd be very pleased to see him come back to Milan again, but I've got no say in that decision.

There has been talk of Ronaldinho coming to AC Milan. Is that something that you would welcome?
If they could get him, I'd be very happy. Ronaldinho is the best of them all and for the club he'd be a fantastic addition. We have a good relationship and we speak often. So for me, he can come any time. Just think about it. It would be fantastic if we had a team with Ronaldinho, Shevchenko and Ronaldo. Like everyone else I want to play with the best players.

Steven Gerrard and Gennaro Gattuso vie for the ball in the 2005 final (©Getty Images)

Heart and soul
Friday, 18 May 2007
by Michael Harrold & Paolo Menicucci

The look on Gennaro Gattuso's face at half-time of the 2005 UEFA Champions League final said it all according to Steven Gerrard. Surely at 3-0 down there was no way back for Liverpool FC? "I think you could see in the Milan faces they thought the game was over and to be honest, as a Liverpool player, I thought the game was over too," Gerrard said.

'Pride'
The Liverpool captain's headed goal shortly after the restart proved otherwise, sparking the breathtaking assault on the Milan goal that turned the most sensational final in the competition's 50-year history on its head. Once again Gerrard had been the catalyst for Liverpool's success. As the two teams prepare to square off again, that meeting is fresh in the mind. "I don't think the fact we're playing against Liverpool is extra motivation for us," Gattuso, 29, told uefa.com. "You don't need extra motivation to play in a Champions League final. However this is more than a final for us. At stake there is more than just a cup. This is about pride."

Same hunger
Whether Gattuso can stamp his authority on the game in Athens will go a long way to determining if Milan can restore that pride. To do so, Gattuso will have to get the better of Gerrard, whose appetite for success is undiminished. "As a footballer I experienced all the different emotions that you can in one night, in 120 minutes," the 26-year-old said. "I've watched the highlights of the game many times and listened to the commentary and seen pictures splashed all over the media. It was a fantastic night but that's in the past and I want to experience it again. I'm just as hungry this time round as I was the first time."

Strength
Both sides will take their lead from the midfield pair. The two No8s are the heart, the lungs and the legs of their teams, and whoever comes out on top is likely to lift the trophy. The Milan midfielder was ruthless in his bossing of Cristiano Ronaldo in the second leg of the semi-final. The Italian's dominance over the Manchester United FC winger nullified the Premiership champions' greatest threat and provided the basis for Milan's victory. In one tackle he brushed Ronaldo to the floor, jumping out of the challenge pumping the air. The Rossoneri faithful roared in delight; his team-mates responded in kind. The task now is to repeat the feat on Gerrard. "Gerrard is a great player who never gives up, but I never give up either," Gattuso said.

When I watch my games on TV I cannot understand where I find all that energy — Gennaro Gattuso
'Passion'

The work-rate of both is phenomenal, their actions contagious. Of Gerrard, new Liverpool recruit Javier Mascherano said: "You can see when a player is a true leader without exchanging many words with him. He inspires respect in me and the whole team." Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti attributes a similar galvanising affect to Gattuso. "Kaká is a natural talent, but Gattuso diffuses so much of his passion that he affects everybody." Gattuso's own self-analysis is: "When I watch my games on TV I cannot understand where I find all that energy. But this is inside me. Kaká is born with talent and everything he does, he does with talent. I have other qualities and I try to use them in the best possible way."

Mind games
Both Gerrard and Gattuso have played down the significance of their personal duel as the mind games and psychological one-upmanship reach a crescendo. Gerrard may have suggested Gattuso's bark was worse than his bite in his autobiography, but both have been largely successful in avoiding media traps in the build-up to Athens. "Once the game starts you forget about all that and it's just about making sure you do your job properly as an individual," Gerrard said. "I'm not preparing to play against Gattuso, I'm preparing to play against AC Milan.

We want to make the history, we want to be heroes and come home winners —
  Steven Gerrard

'Fantastic player'
"He's a fantastic player with a lot of experience. He's won the [FIFA] World Cup and for many, many years he's proved he's a top player at the top level but I'm not going into this game worried about Gattuso, I'm worried about Milan. I'm worried about how Steven Gerrard's going to play. That's my main focus, to get myself right. If I can get myself right we'll see if Gattuso can stop me. We want to make the history, we want to be heroes and come home winners. That's the plan. We won't fear them. We're a good team ourselves and we're confident we can do the job."

'Motivation'
Milan too have their eyes on history. "A second success [after 2003] would put us at the same level of the greatest Milan sides of the past," Gattuso said. "Two years ago we never thought we'd have the chance to play another final against Liverpool so soon. Now we can take back what we lost that night. I will not call it revenge but we can finally cancel out that incredible night."

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Paolo Maldini (left) in action against Celtic (©Getty Images)

'Football means Milan'
Friday, 18 May 2007
by Paolo Menicucci
from Milan

The UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC will not be Paolo Maldini’s last match as many football fans had feared. The AC Milan captain has decided to play on for another season, his 24th wearing the No3 shirt for the Rossoneri. When Maldini does retire in 2008, the club will keep his shirt for safe-keeping, guarding it in the hope of returning it to the family one day if his son Christian, the promising grandson of former Milan captain Cesare Maldini, breaks into the first team. Paolo, 38, spoke with uefa.com about Milan’s family dynasty and his hopes and expectations for his eighth European Champion Clubs’ Cup final.

uefa.com: After the defeat in 2005 is this final more special?

Paolo Maldini: Facing Liverpool is an opportunity to take revenge, but we have nothing against them. During my career I won most of the games I deserved to win. That night was not like that because we surely deserved to win and we didn't. However, we don't have to think about our opponents too much. We have to play our own game and then accept the result on the pitch. They are a dangerous side especially with [Steven] Gerrard and [Peter] Crouch.

uefa.com: What's the build-up to the final like?

Maldini: We are quite calm now. The tension will raise as we get closer to the game, starting from when we leave for Athens on Monday.

uefa.com: Three finals in four years. What is Milan’s secret in this competition?

Maldini: I think the secret is a completely different style of game and life in general. The whole club is different. This is the only club who keeps players even if they are over 35, looking at their talent without considering their age.

uefa.com: How many other finals would you like to play?

Maldini: I hope to play another one after this one in Athens because next season will surely be my last.

uefa.com: The final against Liverpool will be your eighth in the competition, the same number as Real Madrid CF legend Paco Gento. What do you think about reaching such a milestone?

Maldini: Honestly I never cared so much about records. I only think about winning as many trophies as possible and Milan gave me the chance to play so many finals in this competition. Believe me, it is not easy to reach the UEFA Champions League final.

uefa.com: Could you ever imagine achieving so much when you were younger?

Maldini: No, no. I just wanted to become a good Serie A player. When I was younger it was not very common to see Italian teams winning so many trophies in Europe. Milan and Inter had managed to win the trophy twice during the Sixties but otherwise there weren't many Italian teams who had been able to dominate in Europe.

uefa.com: Did your father Cesare give you your love for football?

Maldini: My father did not talk much about football with me. He thought mostly about teaching me as a man and about my education. I think I've loved football since the day I was born. This love pushes me to go on despite my age. I don't think my love for the game will ever die. However in order to achieve great results and always be at the top you have to be lucky enough to play with a great club and I have had this opportunity.

uefa.com: What is Milan for you?

Maldini: Milan is football for me. I have played for this club for my whole career, I was born in Milan, and my father had a very important career with this team. For me the word football means Milan.

uefa.com: Your own son plays for Milan's youth team. Do you think he will become a good player?

Maldini: At his age – he has not turned eleven yet – you can already see if he is capable and he surely is. If he manages to develop this talent and if has the ambition to reach great goals, the next step will be deciding whether he wants to try this career or not.

uefa.com: When you retire, Milan will retire your No3 jersey. Would you like to see your son wearing that shirt?

Maldini: If somebody wears that shirt again, it will surely be one of my sons. I think it would be a very good story.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

上周米兰官方新闻（即时翻译更新）【5月14日-5月19日】

FULL TIME: MILAN 2-3 UDINESE
5/19/2007
Milan lost 3-2 at home to Udinese but Billy Costacurta scored a penalty in his last match. The goal came on 57 minutes to draw level Di Natale's effort on 52 minutes. Barreto scored the winner on 61 minutes.

全场比分：米兰2 — 3 乌迪内斯
米兰主场2-3负于乌迪内斯，但是科斯塔库塔在他最后一场比赛中打入一粒点球。52分钟迪纳塔莱将比分超出，科斯塔库塔在57分钟点球扳平。61分钟是巴雷托打入致胜球。

Kaká is in confident mood ahead of the final (©adidas)


Kaká calm in eye of the storm
Friday, 18 May 2007
by Paolo Menicucci
from Milan

On the way to the photography studio where I'm scheduled to meet Kaká, I pass two billboards featuring the AC Milan star. In one he is dressed stylishly in suit and tie, in the other the clothes are more casual. We are in Zona Tortona, the trendy district dubbed the Soho of Milan because of its bars, galleries and fashion showrooms. Thirty seconds into our conversation it is obvious why stylists compete to have his clean face and gentle smile endorse their products.

Humble
When Kaká married his wife Caroline 18 months ago, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi declared he was "the husband every parent would like their daughter to have". A part-time model off the pitch, he has been a model of consistency on it, dominating the UEFA Champions League this season. His competition-leading ten goals have driven AC Milan to another final against Liverpool FC, but Kaká has not let his achievements go to his head. Deeply religious, the attacking midfielder remains one of the most humble figures in football. The word revenge is not part of his vocabulary.

'More experienced'
"The final against Liverpool is not about revenge," he told uefa.com. "Two years ago they won and that's it. We're just focusing on this new final. It's a great opportunity to write my name and the club's in the history of the competition. In a final anything can happen, we know it better than anybody after that game in Istanbul." Kaká was superb in the 2005 final, wresting the game from Liverpool in a mesmerising first half with his darting runs and pinpoint passing.

Liverpool challenge
Two years on another English side has witnessed Kaká at his best. He scored twice against Manchester United FC in the first leg of their semi-final, then put on a show for the adoring Rossoneri supporters at San Siro. The 25-year-old opened the scoring and drove Milan forward all night, the United midfield never coming to grips with his pace or vision as he exploited space in front of the visitors' back four. "Liverpool will probably be more difficult to face than Manchester United," Kaká reflects. "They are more focused on cutting down space while United play great football but also let you play. Liverpool are very organised and have a great coach. We know [Rafael] Benítez and [Steven] Gerrard really well but Liverpool are not about individuals, they are a very good side overall. Still if I have to choose one player, I would go for Gerrard. He is a leader, a point of reference for them."

'Work hard'
Just as Kaká is for Milan. The conduit of their best moves on the pitch, he has also become the focus off it. The patience and attention with which he deals with constant demands on his time from press and fans alike suggests he will not be letting success go to his head. He has been in the form of his life, but insists “there is room for improvement, there are many things to learn. I leave comparisons with other players to journalists and coaches, I only want to work hard to become a better player. Finishing as top scorer was never my objective. I'm not a forward, I'm more a playmaker but as long as my goals help Milan win games I'm happy."

'Focus'
As 23 May approaches, those goals have given Milan every reason for confidence. "The Champions League has always been our main focus. We started well, then we had a bad period, but now we're back at our peak at the most important part of the season." Not even a specialist in penalty-saving like Pepe Reina gives cause for concern. "I'm only thinking about positive things and I scored a penalty in Istanbul as well so I'm prepared to take one again. Liverpool have won some important games on penalties but I'm sure they don't want that again. No team plays for penalties."

'Very happy'
The bond between Milan and Kaká is strong, too strong to let constant transfer talk linking him with Real Madrid CF disrupt the relationship. "This club is like a family. I feel at home here which is very important for me. The rumours about Madrid do not disturb me. I have a contract with Milan until 2011 and I will move only if they want to sell me." Things might have been very different for the former São Paulo FC player who first moved to Europe in 2003. "I didn't pick Milan, Milan picked me. I could have joined Chelsea [FC] but they wanted to send me on loan to Russia while Milan had faith in me immediately. Looking back, I'm very happy with what destiny had in store for me." Another important date with destiny is fast approaching.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Alberto Gilardino (right) is hoping to be back amongst the goals on Wednesday (@Getty Images)

Milan tag team targets Liverpool
Friday, 18 May 2007
by Paolo Menicucci & Richard Aikman
from Milan

As he waits to see whether or not he will start ahead of Filippo Inzaghi in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC, Alberto Gilardino has revealed that the "healthy competition" that exists between himself and his AC Milan team-mate is one of the secrets of his side's success this season.

Difficult season
Gilardino was not a Milan player when the Rossoneri suffered their penalty shoot-out defeat against Liverpool in the 2005 final - although he was already saying his final farewells to former club Parma FC, with his �24m transfer to San Siro just a month away. However, after enduring a trying second term that began with a Serie A points deduction, Gilardino's determination to win his first European Champions Clubs' Cup is just as great as that of his team-mates who were directly involved in Istanbul.

'Decisive factor'
To claim European honours, though, the 24-year-old will want to improve on a modest UEFA Champions League goal return. "I've made a lot of Champions League appearances and it's true I haven't scored as many goals as I'd have liked," he told uefa.com. "However, I've played an important role in the side in other ways and believe I will be a decisive factor in the final." Gilardino's two UEFA Champions League goals to date are dwarfed by Inzaghi's return of 36 from 65 appearances.

Advantage Inzaghi
Indeed, if the words of Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the semi-final against Manchester United FC are anything to go by it is the veteran marksman who is the most likely to be given the nod in Athens. "There's more pressure in the Champions League and Gilardino doesn't have the experience yet to control that pressure," the Milan coach said. For his part, Inzaghi is certainly ready. "Off course I'd like to play from the start because I feel in great shape," he told uefa.com. "However, it's Ancelotti who decides the starting line-up and lifting the trophy is the only thing that counts."

Istanbul pain
Like Gilardino, Inzaghi was not on the pitch in Istanbul in 2005 but he is nonetheless eager to cancel the memories of that night. "I wasn't fit for that match and I had to watch the final from the stands," he continued. "It was painful because we had already won that cup but they took it out of our grasp. Liverpool are good but it won't happen again." If Gilardino is on the bench in Athens he will be hoping to have a similar impact as substitute as when he scored in the 3-0 semi-final second-leg win against Manchester United.

'La staffetta'
Ancelotti intends to adopt 'la staffetta' - an Italian phrase referring to passing the baton, or giving the players a half each - and Gilardino is ready for the relay. "The coach has said we'll adopt 'la staffetta' and that's fine, there is healthy competition between myself and Pippo [Inzaghi]. At a club like Milan there is always competition for places and we're ready to help out however we can. This has been our strength this year and hopefully it will be in Athens."

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

 
Ambrosini staying at San Siro
Saturday, 12 May 2007
AC Milan have been handed a boost as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League final with the news that Massimo Ambrosini has signed a new contract.

San Siro stalwart
The midfielder, who turns 30 later this month, has committed himself to the Rossoneri until June 2010, adding two years to his existing deal. The Italian international has played 19 games in Serie A and eleven in the UEFA Champions League this season, his eleventh at San Siro. Milan will face Liverpool FC for the right to be crowned continental champions in Athens on 23 May. Ambrosini has particular reason to be involved as he missed out on the 2005 final defeat by Liverpool with a thigh injury.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Learning from the pass master
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
by Peter Sanderson
from Milan

AC Milan's midfield is the complete package. Gennaro Gattuso supplies grit, Clarence Seedorf the guile and Kaká has his familiar tricky feet and explosive strike. The fourth musketeer, Andrea Pirlo, arguably possesses all of the above and as Peter Sanderson discovered after spending a few hours on the training ground with the man they call Trilly Campanellino (Tinkerbell), he is not bad at the crossbar challenge either.

New darling
After helping the Azzurri to FIFA World Cup glory, Pirlo is the new darling of Italian football. His face is blazoned across every billboard, his reputation bolstered by every mesmerising pass. Fans across the globe may find a small place in their heart for the Emersons and Claude Makeleles of this world but they usually reserve their true love for the entertainers such as Kakà and Ronaldinho. With Pirlo, you buy one and get the other free.

Dream job
My task for the day is the kind of fantasy job every fan dreams of. I was to be given a 60-minute lesson in passing from the pass master himself as part of a new uefa.com project called the UEFA Training Ground, which aims to get the stars to show youngsters how to get the most out of the beautiful game. Other players and coaches have provided skills and drills to help improve players' games, but for now Pirlo was my focus. As he sauntered over to me in that typical languid manner of his, my legs started to tremble. What was I doing on the same pitch as this man? He scored a penalty in a FIFA World Cup final and, if the Rossoneri beat Liverpool on 23 May, could win a second UEFA Champions League medal.

'Technique and concentration'
After a flurry of ciaos, 4,000 misdirected passes (by me) and a good old fashioned handshake, my passing had improved from utterly hopeless to merely below average. "It's all about technique and concentration," Pirlo explained. "I spent years working at my game to get to where I am. I hit some terrible passes along the way too but it's amazing what a small piece of advice from someone who has been in the game so long can do for a player. I hope my knowledge can help all the young players out there just as it has helped you."

Crossbar challenge
What followed will live with me for the rest of my life. If you have ever seen the advert where Ronaldinho thumps five consecutive shots against the crossbar and refused to believe it was possible then read on. Pirlo turned to me and asked: "Reckon I can hit the bar from here?" "No," I replied. It seemed a fair guess as he was fully 35 metres out. Before I had chance to change my mind he had sent a thunderous shot crashing against the bar. He turned to me and said: "Reckon I can do it again?" "No," I replied. Boom, crash. Two out of two.

Standing ovation
The third time he didn't bother asking yet incredibly the ball homed in on the crossbar like an Exocet missile. As the fourth ball pinged against the crossbar and back to his feet everyone grew silent in awe and he made sure he kept things that way by hitting the bar a fifth time. He left the pitch with a wry smile, to a standing ovation from everyone who had witnessed it. Better still, UEFA Training Ground got it all on camera.

UEFA Training Ground launches on uefa.com on 17 May.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Maldini determined to have final say
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini will do "everything possible" to be fit for the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC in Athens in eight days' time.

Postponed surgery
The 38-year-old defender has been struggling with a persistent knee injury throughout the season and opted to postpone surgery in order to help the Rossoneri in the latter stages of the campaign. "After the league game against [Calcio] Catania on Sunday my knee swelled up but it was expected," said Maldini, who played for 65 minutes of the 1-1 draw. "I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I'm 100 per cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else."

Defeat 'hurts'
Milan have been crowned European champions on six occasions and Maldini played in four of those finals in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. "I always believed we could reach the final this season," continued the veteran of 23 seasons at San Siro. "Now we have the chance to write another great page in our history. The Istanbul defeat in 2005 still hurts but I'm sure Liverpool know they will never win a match like that again. Compared to our last two finals in Manchester and Istanbul we are in much better shape."

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