Hernan Crespo spent only one season with the AC Milan team on loan from Chelsea, but he does not hide his affection for the Rossoneri and his friend Paolo Maldini despite having spent much time with the bitter rivals Inter. He spoke fondly of the current technical director of Il Diavolo club to La Gazzetta dello Sport and said the following:
"I was only there for one season at Milan, but he (Paolo Maldini) was the first to help me settle in. I came from a difficult period with many injuries. I remember his words of encouragement. And then I remember Istanbul, how can I forget it? A night that entered my soul and from there it will never go away again. It has been said that in the interval we were already celebrating: bullsh*t. I remember that Paolo and I, and Sheva too, were talking about how to score the fourth goal, and not about celebrations."
Crespo continued to talk about Paolo Maldini:
"He set an example. He played even when he had tremendous pain in his knees. He suffered, but he was there, on the pitch, fighting for the team. When you see someone like that, it is natural to follow him. The captain must have impeccable behavior, he must be a point of reference. Paolo was, and he is still a point of reference even now as a director."
