The AC Milan Captain Paolo Maldini is looking for a revenge against the Argentine team Boca Juniors in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. They are both the favorites to meet in the final on December 16th in Yokohama.
In 2003 Milan lost by penalties against the Argentine team during the Toyota Cup, the forerunners of the cup are trying to keep the crown for this year's Club World Cup also.
"It's not pleasant to think about matches we have lost in the past," Maldini said Friday. "But we lost to Boca and that's the team I think about the most".
From December 7th to the 16th, the Club World Cup features the champions of FIFA's continental club competitions. African champion Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, CONCACAF champion CF Pachuca of Mexico, Asian winners Urawa Reds, Oceania winner Waitekere United of New Zealand and Asian runner-up Sepahan of Iran are the other clubs participating.
The AC Milan and Boca joined the competition at the semifinal phase, with the Italians playing on Thursday against either Japan's Urawa or the winner of Friday's playoff between Sepahan and Waitekere.
This is very important for the Italians, as the Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said, it was important just as when they won the Champions League Cup against Liverpool in May.
"We have to put in all our energy to win the trophy," said Galliani.
"It's a major objective to take this trophy home."
The AC Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti is a little concerned on the results or consequences the tournament will have on the team, since his mayor problem right now is that fact they are in 8th position 16 points away from the current leader Inter Milan.
"There are three matches waiting for us at home right after this tournament and we have to recondition ourselves immediately so we are at our best." said Ancelotti.
Also Maldini, the 39-year old Italian announced that he is not planning on leaving his team before time, since he announced his retirement from football next year.
"I have a contract with Milan until next June and I have no intention of not honoring it,' Maldini told reporters. 'I am fit and focused on winning the Club World Cup."
