Paolo Maldini completed a unique family double when he emulated his father Cesare and captained AC Milan to their penalty shoot-out victory over Juventus in the Champions League final at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Never before had a son followed his father in skippering the same club to victory in Europe's premier competition -- or any other major final. Cesare led Milan to their first European Cup success when they beat Benfica 2-1 at Wembley 40 years ago.
Either Cesare or Paolo have been involved in all six of Milan's European Cup successes. Cesare skippered the side in 1963 and was assistant coach to Nereo Rocco when they won the trophy for the second time in 1969. He is now, in his early 70s, the club's chief scout.
"There has always been myself or my father involved. With Milan these things can happen -- it is too beautiful for words," said an ecstatic Paolo afterwards.
This was Paolo's fourth European Cup success with Milan, having played in the winning teams in 1989, 1990, 1994 and now this season. He was also in the teams beaten by Olympique Marseille in 1993 and Ajax Amsterdam in 1995.
It was his sixth final -- meaning that only Francisco Gento (eight finals) and Alfredo Di Stefano (seven) have played in more.
SEEDORF TREBLE
By collecting his fourth winner's medal he has moved to within two of the record of six wins established by Gento who played in Real Madrid's winning teams of 1956-60 and 1966. His Milan team mate Alessandro Costacurta played in his fifth final -- and picked up his fourth winners medal too.
While Maldini, who was also voted Man of the Match, was setting his records, Milan's Clarence Seedorf became the first man to win the European Cup with three different clubs -- despite having his penalty saved in the shoot-out.
Seedorf was one of 10 men before this final to win the European Cup with two clubs having played for Ajax (against Milan) in 1995 and for the Real Madrid team which beat Juventus in 1998.
In contrast, it was another disappointing night for Juventus coach Marcello Lippi. Although he set a new record by leading Juventus into a fourth final, he has also become the first man to coach three losing final teams. Juve won their first final under Lippi in 1996, but have now lost in 1997, 1998 and 2003.
In a sense that allowed Carlo Ancelotti a modicum of revenge -- although he claims he has never been bitter about leaving Juventus under a cloud two years ago,
Ancelotti played alongside Maldini in the 1989 and 1990 victories and is only the fourth man to win the European Cup as a player and a coach -- and the first in the Champions League era.
Milan, who can clinch a cup double this season by winning the Italian Cup, have also moved on to six European Cup victories -- closing the gap on Real Madrid who have a record nine wins. It was the perfect way to celebrate their 250th game in Europe.
On the negative side though, this was the fourth final to end goalless after extra-time and the seventh to be decided on penalties.
