Even before the ball rolled on the Perth stadium turf, tonight’s Milan-Inter derby already carried a special meaning. The match was dedicated to the memory of Franco Baresi — the eternal Captain, who passed away in recent weeks and remains alive in the hearts of every Rossoneri supporter.
The Number 6 Shirt: Everyone for Franco
Before kick-off, all Milan players walked out wearing the number 6 shirt — the number that for decades identified Franco Baresi as the very emblem of AC Milan and Italian football. A simple gesture, yet one of immense symbolic power, which turned the warm-up into a moment of collective remembrance.
On the giant screens inside the Australian stadium, a video tribute to Baresi was shown, featuring the finest images from his career in red and black. Even the Inter players joined in the tribute in a sincere and heartfelt way — a reminder that Franco Baresi belongs not only to Milan, but to the entire history of Italian football.
At the 6th minute of play, the crowd and both sets of players paused for a spontaneous round of applause in honour of the Captain — a gesture similar to the one reserved for Astori by Fiorentina and the football world every year at the 13th minute. A deeply moving moment, lived with genuine emotional engagement by everyone present.
Maldini: “I Loved Him, So Many Beautiful Memories Bind Us”
In the hours surrounding the match, the words spoken by Paolo Maldini to La Repubblica have resonated widely — words that describe better than any tactical analysis the meaning of this week in Australia. The other great Captain of Milan spoke with visible emotion:
“Yes, I was there for Franco, we were all there for him. Yes, I was moved — but we were talking about Baresi. We shared so many things together, matches, victories, moments: we felt very strong emotions.”
And further: “I loved him, so many beautiful memories bind us. We had known each other for many years. It was like meeting old friends again. Being together like that is always a particularly emotional moment. On this occasion, we were gathered as one for our captain.”
These words come in the wake of the photograph that has become the symbol of these days: Maldini in tears during Baresi’s funeral — an image that moved the entire football world. That photograph tells, without needing words, the extraordinary bond between two men who wrote the history of Milan together. For those wishing to relive those moments, Milan’s final embrace for Franco Baresi will remain forever in the Rossoneri memory.
Gabbia and Modrić as Captains Under the Sign of Number 6
One significant detail during the match did not go unnoticed: in the first half, the captain’s armband was worn by Matteo Gabbia, a symbol of the new Rossoneri generation. Upon leaving the pitch, Gabbia personally handed the armband to Luka Modrić, who led the team through the second half with that responsibility on his sleeve.
Watching a giant of world football history like Modrić wear the Milan captain’s armband in a match dedicated to Baresi was a moment of intense emotional power. The eternal Captain would have approved.
Source: La Repubblica (Paolo Maldini statements)
