The Maldinis have become Inter’s worst nightmare. The late Cesare Maldinias a player (1954-66), he led Milan to win four Scudetti e win the first of seven European Cups. Subsequently, as a coach, lifted a Cup Winners’ Cup and a ‘Cup’.
Paolo quickly took over from his father, Cesare. In his 25 years at Milan (1984-2009) he won everything. In its list of winners, five of its five Champions shine in their own light. Only Paco Gento (6) has more. Paolo played defense, like his father, but, Unlike Cesare, he knows what it means to score against Inter. Admittedly, he only scored one goal in 53 games.It was the 1994-95 season in a ‘Madonnina derby’ which ended 1-1.
To Daniel Maldini, on the other hand, only one game was enough for him equaling his father’s (Paolo) goal record and surpassing his grandfather’s (Cesare) against Inter.However, there is an important nuance: he did it with the Spezia shirt. The striker on loan from Milan, who took over for Shomudorov at half-time, ‘opened the can’ in the 2-1 draw of the team led by Leonardo Semplici.
“I saw that Nzola attracted two defenders, leaving a free space… and it happened,” acknowledged Daniel, who didn’t hide his joy in marking the Nerazzurri: “It was a goal I’d been waiting for for a long time. I wanted it with all my heart and I’m happy it came against a great team like Inter.”
History repeats itself again: a Maldini who scores Inter almost 30 years later. “That I equaled my father’s goal record against Inter? I honestly didn’t know, but what matters to me is that the team won. We deserved this victory,” he assured. A vital victory in the fight for permanence. Spezia, in 17th, are now five points clear of relegation.
Maldini Jr.’s goal, which ended Inter’s limited chances of fighting for the ‘scudetto’ against Napoli, He was much celebrated in the Milanese ‘house’. And not only from Paolo, the Rossoneri technical director. “Proud,” wrote Rafa Leao. “Crack,” replied Yacine Adli.
The goal could be important for Daniele, who he made the most of his few minutes (413′) with Spezia. He adds three goals, two in the league and one in the ‘Cup’. However, it seems that he chooses them. In the first leg, ‘his’ Milan scored … but they couldn’t avoid the defeat (2-1).
Now he has made up for it by scoring against Inter, but he has clear ideas about his most special goal: “The first one I scored for Milan in Serie A.” He wrote it on September 25, 2021 in the 1-2 victory… over Spezia!!! Now it only remains to be seen if the circle will close by returning to Milan and scoring once again against Inter.
