It has been a question on every Milan fan’s mind for quite some time now; when is the defence going to be sorted out?

The days when the northern giants were Italy’s answer to Arsenal, grinding out 1-0 wins with the help of Franco Baresi and current coach Carlo Ancelotti, have never before seemed such a hazy memory.

Even Milan supremo Adriano Galliani has told fans on the club’s website, acmilan.com, that there is hope for a more solid campaign in the near future, despite some comings and goings that are bound to take place at the end of this term.

The most notable of which will be the retirement of the one surviving member of that gloriously miserly defence mentioned above, the captain Paolo Maldini.

Alessandro Nesta was operated on yesterday, and he has certainly been missed by his side. The former Italy international has sat out the overwhelming majority of this season, but his back problems may finally be at an end.

“The doctors tell me he [Nesta] could be back soon,” he began, “We have to decide what to do with [Philippe] Senderos and see what happens with Bayern Munich, regarding Massimo Oddo.”

It is reported that this could also be the last season for Georgian Kakha Kaladze, so Milan surely have to go shopping this summer. They do however have the promising young Brazilian Thiago Silva on their books, and Daniele Bonera should renew his contract soon.

Simone Finaldi, Goal.com