'Gladiator II' falls flat

It probably would’ve played out better as a series that stands on its own.

- Bonginkosi Tiwane

Gladiator II falls short as a sequel to a classic film. Maybe it should've been a series as legacy comes with a lot of pressure.

You see this in families where an offspring is overwhelmed by expectations to live up to what their parents have become renowned for.

Daniel Maldini, the son of Italian great defender Paolo and the grandson of another AC Milan legend Cesare, is living through the pressure of a great family name.

The Maldini surname is synonymous with royalty in Italy and in world football.

Cesare made more than 300 appearances for Milan as a defender from 1954 to 1966 - winning four league titles and one European Cup, among many trophies in his cabinet.

Some years after hanging up his boots the Italian would go on to coach the Rossoneri to a European Cup Winners' Cup and Coppa Italia in 1972-1973 and lead the Azzurrini to three consecutive Uefa European Under-21 Championships.

His son? Paolo remains Serie A's all-time player with the most appearances, playing a total of 647 for AC Milan.

During that time the blue-eyed elegant defender won seven Scudetti, seven European Cups, five Italian Super Cups and four Uefa Super Cups. He not only lived up to his family's name, but cemented his own place in the Maldini legacy. Both Paolo and Cesare captained AC Milan.