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False 9? Edin Dzeko shows the value of an old-fashioned centre-forward
False 9? Edin Dzeko shows the value of an old-fashioned centre-forward
The cameras panned to the technical director in the San Siro stands. There were plenty of reasons to pick out Paolo Maldini, and his job title is not the most prominent. Not for the man who remains the byword for elegantly effortless defending, not when his name is synonymous with the European Cup. Arguably the greatest left-back of all time was scarcely witnessing a defensive masterclass. Even if he had, the primacy of Mauro Tassotti, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Maldini himself would have remained unchallenged: they are perhaps football’s greatest back four and certainly AC Milan’s. Comparisons were rarely going to flatter Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer and Theo Hernandez. A shambolic showing made them more glaring. Admittedly, Maldini knows such defining European games can take on a life of their own. He captained AC Milan during Deportivo la Coruna’s four-goal comeback in 2004 and Liverpool’s blitz of three goals in seven minutes in the 2005 final. Inter’s burst of two in four minutes might have brought unpleasant flashbacks. But Maldini won five European Cup finals and Milan conceded a solitary goal in them. And, 11 minutes into their first semi-final for 16 years, they were two down, and to two of the elderly. Maldini could be a poster boy for veterans: a Champions League winner for the last time a few weeks before his 39th birthday, he remains the oldest scorer in a final, at 36. Which, Edin Dzeko may feel, is enviably youthful. When he rifled Inter into the lead, he became the second oldest scorer in a semi-final, behind only Ryan Giggs. After a 37-year-old scorer came a youngster of 34; Henrikh Mkhitaryan is another throwback figure. When Jose Mourinho’s Inter won the Champions League in 2010, it was a famously experienced side. Simone Inzaghi may hope that, in his scorers at least, he has borrowed from the same formula. Dzeko and Mkhitaryan can suit the image of Serie A as a retirement home, a comfortable abode for footballers too old to gegenpress. The reality is more complicated and the Italian renaissance has entailed astute recruitment and a host of players over a decade Dzeko’s junior. But the rhythms of the division can be suited to the elderly. Those who are tactically adept and technically proficient, as Dzeko is, can stave off the passing of time. It helps that he has both a target man’s presence; so, too, that he is a beautiful striker of a ball. Dzeko has long been a wonderful volleyer. Five years ago, he scored a goal for Roma against Chelsea that had a hint of Marco van Basten about it; except that, unlike the great Dutchman, he scored it with his less favoured left foot. A derby opener came with another swing of his left foot, another clean connection, another lovely goal. It was the 400th of a career for club and country that began with Dzeko as a nondescript midfielder in the Bosnian league. He has come a long way since then, but the journey may yet carry him to Istanbul and transport Inter back to their past. The goals of another quintessential No. 9, Diego Milito, won the Nerazzurri the Champions League in 2010. The false nine has become more prevalent and popular in the intervening 13 years, but Dzeko is the old-fashioned centre-forward who never went away. Five years ago he scored in each leg of a Champions League semi-final, but for Roma and in vain and both of them after Liverpool’s five-goal blitz at Anfield. Eighteen years ago, he may have been cheering on AC Milan against Liverpool. Dzeko’s hero is the record scorer in the history of the derby della Madonnina; admittedly all of those goals came for the Rossoneri and it was easier for the Bosnian to be open about his love of Andriy Shevchenko before he joined Milan’s, and San Siro’s, other club. Shevchenko was in the crowd, sat in front of Maldini, to witness a terrific finish. He saw Mkhitaryan, an old rival from Dynamo Kiev’s games against Shakhtar Donetsk, surge into the Milan box and lift a shot over Mike Maignan. The Armenian ran straight through the middle. It was too easy. Somehow Milan’s shoddy defending did not yield more goals. Hakan Calhanoglu, who has crossed the city, hit the post. Referee Jesus Gil Manzano first awarded Lautaro Martinez a penalty and then rescinded his own decision. Maignan made a terrific save from Dzeko. And so Milan will return to their home ground as the away team in six days, still in with a chance that Maldini will play a part in securing a sixth European Cup, to add to the 1963 triumph, when his father Cesare captained them, and 1969, a rare Maldini-free success. But not if they defend like this, and not if the old master Dzeko is similarly clinical. Read More Milan derby creates thrilling sensory overload that shows how football should be The Milan derby crowns Serie A’s return - here is why it means so much more AC Milan are back – but not as how you remember them Milan derby creates thrilling sensory overload that shows how football should be Lazio extend Napoli’s wait for title by a day at least Chelsea take control of WSL title race with thrashing of Leicester
1970-01-01 08:00
Siemens Energy Secures €15 Billion Deal to Shore Up Finances
Siemens Energy Secures €15 Billion Deal to Shore Up Finances
Siemens Energy AG has secured a €15 billion ($16.2 billion) deal with the German government, its biggest shareholder
2023-11-14 23:48
World Bank's Banga: Interest rates to stay higher for longer
World Bank's Banga: Interest rates to stay higher for longer
MARRAKECH, Morocco World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Wednesday interest rates will likely stay higher for longer
2023-10-11 15:47
ExxonMobil earnings fell on sinking oil prices
ExxonMobil earnings fell on sinking oil prices
ExxonMobil's profit fell sharply in the second quarter on lower oil and natural gas prices, leaving earnings below Wall Street forecasts.
2023-07-28 18:54
Jets Having Very Eventful Night on Social Media After Loss to Cowboys
Jets Having Very Eventful Night on Social Media After Loss to Cowboys
The New York Jets pulled out a thrilling victory in their season opener after Aaron Rodgers went down, which may have blunted the blow a bit before reality set
2023-09-18 10:10
Analysis-Australia's push for faster EV uptake will be slow to charge
Analysis-Australia's push for faster EV uptake will be slow to charge
By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY Australians are starting to buy electric vehicles in large numbers, and the government is
2023-05-17 16:20
What is Hoda Kotb's net worth? 'Today' host shares why she struggled to pay bills 'for years'
What is Hoda Kotb's net worth? 'Today' host shares why she struggled to pay bills 'for years'
'Today' host Hoda Kotb claimed she might have been 'the lowest paid correspondent' at one time
2023-09-21 14:54
Fire Cashman: Aaron Judge tries to take heat off Yankees GM after chants
Fire Cashman: Aaron Judge tries to take heat off Yankees GM after chants
Aaron Judge is now defending Brian Cashman after fans chant, "Fire Cashman." It now seems The Captain is willing to go down with his ship and take full responsibility.
2023-09-24 01:36
Erik Ten Hag outlines how ‘calm’ Manchester United can negotiate Istanbul atmosphere
Erik Ten Hag outlines how ‘calm’ Manchester United can negotiate Istanbul atmosphere
Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to keep their heads in the intense atmosphere of Istanbul to prevent Galatasaray from knocking his side out of the Champions League. Defeat would mean United are eliminated before their last group game and Ten Hag, who should welcome back Rasmus Hojlund and Antony from injury, believes his team cannot afford to lose their cool. United have had two red cards already in the Champions League with Casemiro sent off in the 3-2 home defeat to Galatasaray and Marcus Rashford in the 4-3 loss to FC Copenhagen, meaning the Englishman is suspended for Wednesday’s game. United led in both matches before losing and Ten Hag does not want a repeat. He said: “You have to stay calm in your head and don’t get too emotional. Control your emotion, don’t give them anything - the referee as well, don’t give them a moment they can take - so you have to stay away from such moments.” Hojlund and Antony both missed Sunday’s 3-0 win over Everton but have trained and are in contention to return. “They are in the squad,” Ten Hag confirmed. However, United will be without a host of injured players, including Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans. Ten Hag said he had no fears about picking the 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo for such a high-pressure game after the midfielder excelled on his Premier League debut at Goodison Park. “We don’t have that,” he said. “If players are good enough, they are old enough.” Ten Hag believes United are a better team than they were when they lost to the Turkish champions in September. He added: “It will probably will be the same for Galatasaray but I think we have improved. It is good progress, you see we are stepping up. We are more stable and winning games so definitely there is progress from the first game.” United have lost their last three games in Turkey and have never won or scored in three away matches against Galatasaray. They exited the Champions League in 1993 with a 0-0 draw at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium but Ten Hag was unworried by their poor record. He said: “We have to make our game. We have to make our own history.” Read More Champions League: What do Newcastle, Man United and Arsenal need to reach last 16? Bruno Fernandes excited for ‘amazing’ atmosphere at Galatasaray Roy Keane derides ‘absolute rubbish’ from Erik ten Hag after Man United win
2023-11-28 22:22
Is Melissa Gilbert OK? 'Little House on the Prairie' star spends night in ER after bug bite leaves her with cellulitis
Is Melissa Gilbert OK? 'Little House on the Prairie' star spends night in ER after bug bite leaves her with cellulitis
Melissa Gilbert said, 'The lesson - take bug bites seriously! If it swells up like crazy... don’t wait to get treated'
2023-05-27 12:47
Britain steps up sanctions against Belarus for its support of Russia
Britain steps up sanctions against Belarus for its support of Russia
LONDON Britain announced a new sanctions package against Belarus on Thursday for its role in facilitating Russia's invasion
2023-06-08 19:51
Orioles City Connect jersey schedule: When will O's wear the City Connect jerseys in 2023?
Orioles City Connect jersey schedule: When will O's wear the City Connect jerseys in 2023?
Baltimore recently debuted their new Orioles City Connect jerseys. When will the team debut its sharp new look on the field?At 31-16, the Baltimore Orioles currently hold the second-best record in all of baseball. Few expected them to be in this position before the season, but the O's are m...
2023-05-23 06:18