CAPTAIN IN OPTIMISTIC MOOD
9/22/2005 

MILANELLO – Paolo Maldini just drives away any shadow of a crisis. Milan have given a positive response to the rain of criticism pouring down on them after the slip-up in Genoa. Their answer came out on the pitch, displaying determination and character, finding the goals and the stability in defence once again. The captain didn't have any doubts about the group's motivation, the right spirit was not what was missing at the start of the season. And he confirmed this once again in an interview with the Milan Channel on the day after the wonderful victory over Lazio: 'We must be more focused than those outsiders that judge us. We must analyse the game not only for the result, but for what really happened on the pitch. Sometimes the result changes because of the circumstances, because of a moment that is more or less unlucky. I believe that we have not had a bad start this year. There are only those two missing points that we could have conquered in Ascoli. Then, we lost the game against Sampdoria that maybe in the past we would not have lost. But, this is only a question of bad luck.'

In any case, the sudden turnaround was necessary. The three points taken from Lazio were fundamental to the team's position in the table. Milan grow and continue to display important improvements. 

'Yesterday evening we were a little tense at the start, these things effect the moral of the team,' continued Paolo. 'Then, we took total control of the game, as happened in Genoa. We scored first and we doubled that immediately, this made everything easier. Also, there was clearly a valuable difference on the field.'

The fact remains that the Rossoneri have collected a full booty only at the San Siro. However, Maldini removes any question of a transfer syndrome. 'It is too soon to talk about difficulty away from home. 

Ascoli should not even be considered. Genoa was a question of circumstances. Therefore, the match against Treviso will be the proof to be seen as to whether this team is strong even away from the San Siro. Indeed, at times we have performed better on the road than at home.'


SAN SIRO FACTOR
9/22/2005 

The San Siro certainly brings Milan good fortune. There is no place like home as they say and back amongst the loyal supporters in 'La Scala del Calcio' they are unbeatable. The first two Serie A games have ended in a 3-1 win over Siena and a 2-0 defeat of Lazio, a game in which Milan kept a clean sheet. There was also a winning debut in this year’s Champions League as they laid the ghosts of the past to rest, with a 3-1 victory over Turkish side Fenerbahce. It is the stadium factor, the fan factor, the atmosphere factor: once the Rossoneri are back on home turf, with the backing of the curva all that attacking football is transformed into goals. Paolo Maldini understands the allure of the San Siro, his home away from home just as it was for his father, after all he has played half of his 800 games there. With no end in sight, the captain will be back to take his place in a line-up that has been improving game after game.



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