BARESI’S MILANESE LOVE AFFAIR
2/3/2006 12:01:00 PM
Here is the complete article by Paolo Menicucci that was published in the magazine of the Uefa Cup internet site:
Franco Baresi is not much of a talker off the pitch. The word influential, though, barely does justice to him, or his importance to AC Milan’s most successful side. He is used to accolades. Milan retired his No6 shirt at the end of his career; the fans chose him as Milan‘s player of the century in 1999. But he was still visibly moved when the tifosi saved their longest ovation for him on a recent return to the San Siro.
‘Beautiful moments’
Baresi shuns the spotlight these days, so the crowd took full advantage to show their gratitude when he stepped on to the pitch he used to dominate to collect a UEFA award for his contribution to 50 years of the European Champions Clubs’ Cup. Cesare and Paolo Maldini, Carlo Ancelotti and Clarence Seedorf were also given awards that night, but the loudest ovation was reserved for the rugged centre-back. "UEFA competitions meant a lot during my career," Baresi told uefa.com. "The most beautiful and exciting moments of my career were winning the first European Cup and the first [European/South American] Cup. Knowing you’re in the best team in the world is a truly great experience."
Exceptional sweeper
Baresi, an exceptional sweeper, is one of very few top players to have spent his entire career at one club. He marshalled Milan’s defence for almost 20 years, through the highs of European Cup winning seasons, and the lows of the early Eighties when, incredible to think, Milan played in Serie B for two years. With Baresi leading from the back, Milan defeated FC Steaua Bucuresti 4-0 in the 1989 European Cup final and triumphed again the following year against SL Benfica. Baresi missed out on a hat-trick of titles when he was suspended for the 4-0 trashing of FC Barcelona in 1994. "I didn’t play that night but it was one of our best performances. We were a great team."
Troubled upbringing
It was probably his battles with adversity which turned him into such an uncompromising opponent. Baresi’s mother died when he was 13 and his father four years after that. He was rejected by FC Internazionale Milano as a boy, the Nerazzurri opting to sign his brother Giuseppe instead. Like Franco, Giuseppe would play for his country; like Franco he is now involved in youth football – at Inter. It is Franco, however, who Italians most took to their hearts. The race he won to recover from injury to play in the 1994 FIFA World Cup final was typical of the man. The tears he shed after missing a penalty in the shoot-out against Brazil less so. Respected by team-mates, rivals and referees – maybe too much for some opponents who sensed an invisible thread linking his raised arm to the linesman’s offside flag – Baresi set the example for all defenders to follow.
Milan pride
Baresi retired in 1997, and went into coaching. He can be seen every second week on the bench at the 700-capacity Campo G Battista Re stadium in Settimo Milanese barking orders at Milan‘s Primavera youth side. The San Siro is just a few kilometres away, but the sound of the players’ voices breaking the silence at the small ground makes it feel like a different world. Baresi, though, is comfortable in his new surroundings. "I really like to work with young players," he said. "You cannot teach much to a champion, but you can do a lot to improve a youngster. Most of all I love working for Milan. I don’t see myself anywhere else but here."
‘Pleasure to watch’
Baresi’s young charges have a legend to look up to, and the great defender himself took tips from the game’s finest. "I had many good coaches during my career but I learnt most from [Nils] Liedholm, [Arrigo] Sacchi and [Fabio] Capello. They were all different from each other in their approach to the game, but they’re all great." This season, two teams and two players have most impressed him. "Chelsea are very good defensively. They are very strong and organised and it’s very difficult to score against them. [John] Terry, in particular, is a great defender." Up front, though, no one compares to Barcelona. "I really like their attacking football. Ronaldinho is a fantastic player and it’s a real pleasure to watch him."
Bayern await
Milan are going through a difficult period in Serie A, but Baresi is confident they can raise their game against FC Bayern München in the Round of 16. "Milan have overcome much more difficult situations than this and the team are good enough to go all the way in the Champions League. I think Milan play the best football in Europe alongside Barcelona. Milan-Barcelona would be the best final in May." Should that happen, Ronaldinho and co will be grateful they won’t have to come up against a player as uncompromising as Baresi.
I’ve been missing her a lot since watching “In her Shoes” this weekend. (chick-flick, so I liked it 
). And coincidentally my sister and I have the same shoe size … well not exactly, her’s is a size bigger than mine, but I can wear hers and last time I went to visit her I left her one of my favorite pairs.
But this is to you Sam 
Tanzown 