AC Milan's technical area director, Paolo Maldini, has spoken in a video conference with many Ukrainian Milan fans living in Kiev, an event organized in conjunction with a series of other initiatives that Fondazione Milan has been carrying out for over a year to support the country during the war. Here are his words, relayed by La Repubblica:
"You know what the problem is? Even Ancelotti, who is now at Real Madrid, has an issue pending in Istanbul (where the Champions League final will be played). Immediately after the draw, he called me and said: 'Paolo, see you in Istanbul, yes?"
On AC Milan's Champions League chances:
"It won't be easy, but I think the club's history gives us the opportunity to believe. It has happened before. When you get to March-April, when the Champions League arrives, you can turn a season into something incredible. We have this opportunity and we want to take advantage of it."
Maldini added:
"It won't be easy, we know that, but we like to dream. Without dreams, we probably would have won fewer Champions Leagues. Even in the current squad, we have many dreamers. And it's positive that there are those dreamers and there are also the more realistic ones. I was a dreamer too, when I played. I like to dream, my own life has been a dream and it was especially so at Milan. Without dreaming, probably I would have won fewer Champions Leagues too."
On his relationship with AC Milan's legend and former striker, Andriy Shevchenko, Maldini said:
"Andriy is not only one of the best teammates I've ever had, but a true friend to me and my family. We spent a lot of time together, even on many vacations. He is family to me. In Kiev, a city I love, I have spent important moments with Andriy. I was also there for the 2018 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool."
