Wayne Rooney reflects on his encounters with the legendary AC Milan duo Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, describing them as “like Rolls Royces” on the football pitch
Wayne Rooney recently emphasized the formidable challenge posed by the legendary AC Milan duo Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, considering them among his toughest opponents.
The former Manchester United striker recalled his encounters with the iconic Italian defenders during the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where he played alongside former Red Devils teammate Rio Ferdinand.
“I always remember playing AC Milan in the semi-final of the Champions League,” Wayne Rooney recounted to TNT Sports.
“Obviously, we went on to play in finals, but that was the first semi-final. I remember when we beat them 3-2 here [at Old Trafford], and after 10 minutes, I could hear them breathing, and I remember thinking: ‘we’ve got them.’ And then when we went to the San Siro, they were like Rolls Royces. I don’t know how they did it.”
Rooney and Rio Ferdinand would later clinch the Champions League together the following season with a dramatic 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea in Moscow.
Despite United’s domestic and European success, Chelsea under Jose Mourinho proved to be a formidable opponent during those seasons.
Rooney declares dislike for Chelsea
“The only team really which I could never win against for a few years was Chelsea,” Rooney added.
“I used to dread going to Stamford Bridge, especially when Mourinho was there the first time,” Wayne Rooney admitted. “They were incredibly difficult to play against, solid and meticulously organized.”
Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad eventually overcame Mourinho’s formidable Chelsea side, ending a four-year wait to clinch the Premier League title in the 2006/07 season – the first of three consecutive titles.
In other reports from Sports Buddy, Wayne Rooney describes Manchester United midfield star as the new Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Despite being a fierce competitor, Rooney expressed skepticism about Manchester United’s ability to narrow the gap on Mourinho’s table-topping team.
“I always used to wonder, ‘How is anyone going to stop them?’ Then, of course, we did, but it was always a tough match against them.”
