AC Milan captain Italian defender, Paolo Maldini, practises during a training session at Old Trafford in Manchester on the eve of the European Champions League Final match between AC Milan and Juventus yesterday. (Photo: AFP)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Forty years after his father lifted the same trophy at Wembley Stadium, Paolo Maldini aims to maintain the family tradition at another part of England today when AC Milan face Juventus in the first all-Italian Champions League final.

His father, Cesare, was the first Milan captain to win the title in 1963 when Rossoneri beat Benfica 2-1 at the home of English soccer. Since then, the club has won the title four more times with Paolo on the line-ups that won in 1989, 90 and '94.

"He's as excited as anyone else," Paolo said of his father on the eve of the 48th final at Old Trafford.

"This final does have a different meaning for me. This is a special moment in my life. I am the team captain of course and it's an honour for me, my whole family."

Approaching 35, Maldini has inherited the pedigree of success that earned his father three European Under-21 titles with Italy and a World Cup triumph as assistant coach to Enzo Bearzot in 1982.

As well as three Champions Leagues, Maldini Jr won the World Club Cup in 1989 and '90, the European Super Cup in '89, '90 and '94, six Italian league titles and four Italian Super Cups.

No longer on the national team after 126 appearances, he has never strayed from Milan despite being one of the top defenders in world soccer over the last 20 years.

"I'm very proud that I started with the club when I was 10 years old and I am the only player here who was born in Milan," he said.

"You don't see that very often now. With Juventus you have the similar example of Alex del Piero, a player linked with his club for a very long time, and I do think it's something very important in football.

"Supporters need to be able to identify with players in their clubs. It's a positive thing."

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