Final is 'a huge source of pride' for Albertini
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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Demetrio Albertini, the former AC Milan and Italy midfield player and now vice-president of the Italian Football Association, believes that hosting the final in "the most beautiful city in the world" is a great honour for Italy.
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Former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini believes that hosting Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona in Rome is a huge honour for Italy.
Marvellous city
Albertini, now vice-president of the Italian Football Federation, talked with uefa.com about the importance of hosting the UEFA Champions League, which he won in great style with Milan in 1994. "It's the biggest trophy and the biggest competition for a club player," he said. "As well as that, all the fans want to get to a final, so to be the organiser, and to host it in our country, and in Rome, a marvellous city, is a huge source of pride for us.
Fans festival
"I think Rome is the most beautiful city in the world," he added. "We've got amazing museums, we've organised things for the fans so that it's not all about the match, they'll also have the chance to enjoy the Musei Capitolini, and to travel around the city for free. It's nice because they will be able to participate a bit in the city."
Fantastic emotion
Having collected three European Champion Clubs' Cup medals with Milan – two as a squad member in 1989 and 1990, and one while playing a key role in the team which defeated FC Barcelona 4-0 in the 1994 final – the 37-year-old knows exactly what the players feel ahead of a game like this. "The actual days before the final, when you arrive in the location where you're going to play, there's always that emotion that hits you, it's fantastic."