Gianluca Zambrotta Backs Paolo Maldini Italy Farewell Match

The stopper is the latest protagonist to join the campaign for Maldini to play for Italy one last time...

Milan and Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta is urging the Italian FA to push through plans for a Paolo Maldini farewell to Calcio match.

Many readers of Goal.com will remember our ambitious campaign to get the legendary defender in an Azzurri jersey for one last time. Zambrotta is the latest to back the plan and he is hoping the FIGC take note.

"I really hope an Azzurri match for Maldini's farewell is organised because he has made Italian football history," Zambrotta told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

All the hype at Milan this week has been regarding coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian has been linked with a lucrative move to Real Madrid by the papers, but Zambrotta was keen to underline that his coach will not budge.

"I hope Ancelotti will stay, also Ronaldinho too," added the stopper.

Zambrotta is likely to start for Italy against Ireland in Bari tomorrow night. The defender knows Ireland will rise to the challenge, but he has the determination to help his side come out unscathed.

"It will be a difficult game, and we will not make any calculations regarding our two point advantage," Zambrotta added.

"We have to play to win and attempt to go five points clear because that would be an important advantage. It wouldn't mean we are through, but it would be a nice gap."

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com