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Maldini backs abandonment
AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini believes referee Markus Merk was right to abandon the Champions League clash with Inter Milan due to crowd trouble at the San Siro.
The game was halted with 19 minutes to go after supporters housed at the Inter end threw missiles, including flares, onto the pitch, with one hitting Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper Dida on the shoulder. Because the tunnel to the changing rooms was at that end of the ground, German official Merk waited for the trouble to subside before leading the players off the pitch. When they returned, an attempt at a resumption was met with more missiles. At that point, Merk called off the contest and UEFA's Control and Disciplinary committee will now decide the next course of action. Milan were leading 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate when the match was abandoned. "We couldn't go on, we couldn't finish the game. We tried to clear the pitch but they threw many things again," Maldini told Sky Sports. "I believe the referee took the right decision." It was Maldini's 50th appearance in a Milan derby and the former Italy international admitted such behaviour is not normal in the sophisticated northern city. "This is not usual here in Milan, it is the first time in 20 years of my career that this has happened," he added. "Nothing has ever happened before between supporters of the two teams, it was very bad." When asked if he supported the decision to try to restart the game, Maldini said: "It was good to try because many supporters had paid to see the game." Inter coach Roberto Mancini opted to concentrate on his team's performance, saying: "I'm pleased with what the team did. The boys battled throughout and were never inferior to Milan. "But we're disappointed about how it finished. We can't say much more than that. We will see what happens." Prior to the abandonment, Inter played well and only some wonderful goalkeeping from Dida kept the Nerazzurri at bay. Mancini added: "Our game plan was to try to create scoring chances with the wingers, but (Andriy) Shevchenko scored from their first shot on goal. "We wanted to score a goal so we could put more strikers on. We always showed our pride, but sometimes small margins decide matches."
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