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Derby Debate: Alessandro Nesta Must Play Or Milan Are In Trouble
Milan’s hopes of winning the Derby della Madonnina could rest on the fitness of the legendary defender, argues Carlo Garganese.
Jan 21, 2010 8:00:00 AM
By Carlo Garganese
Did you know: Alessandro Nesta is currently on course to complete the most Serie A games in a season in his entire career?
Having featured in all but two of Milan’s league matches the 33-year-old is on track to end the campaign with 34 appearances, comfortably overtaking his best tally of 30 from 1997-98 and 2005-06.
As with most things at Milan this season – such as the Scudetto search, Santiago Bernabeu success, and Ronaldinho’s renaissance – no one could have possibly predicted Nesta to be so healthy, even if he does spend most breaks in between play with one hand on his back and the other on his knee!
It is because Nesta has stayed so strong that Milan currently find themselves just six points behind Inter with a game in hand going into this weekend’s local derby at San Siro.
The Rossoneri’s hopes of continuing their excellent recent form - which has seen them take nine points from nine in 2010 and put a total of 12 goals past Genoa, Juventus and Siena – depends on whether Nesta recovers in time from a right thigh injury to play against Inter on Sunday night.
The veteran has struck up a brilliant partnership with Thiago Silva – arguably the best centre back pairing in Europe – but the alternatives to these two at Milanello are not good enough. If either own-goal king Kakha Kaladze or the 38-year-old Giuseppe Favalli are handed the keys to controlling the Diego Milito machine then Milan could be in big trouble.
As I have stated numerous times this season: if Milan are to have any hope of winning the Scudetto or the Champions League then both Nesta and Thiago Silva must not only stay fit for almost the entire season but they must play in the big games.
A medical update on Nesta’s situation is expected on Thursday, and its results could have a huge bearing on this season’s Scudetto race.
Having featured in all but two of Milan’s league matches the 33-year-old is on track to end the campaign with 34 appearances, comfortably overtaking his best tally of 30 from 1997-98 and 2005-06.
As with most things at Milan this season – such as the Scudetto search, Santiago Bernabeu success, and Ronaldinho’s renaissance – no one could have possibly predicted Nesta to be so healthy, even if he does spend most breaks in between play with one hand on his back and the other on his knee!
It is because Nesta has stayed so strong that Milan currently find themselves just six points behind Inter with a game in hand going into this weekend’s local derby at San Siro.
The Rossoneri’s hopes of continuing their excellent recent form - which has seen them take nine points from nine in 2010 and put a total of 12 goals past Genoa, Juventus and Siena – depends on whether Nesta recovers in time from a right thigh injury to play against Inter on Sunday night.
The veteran has struck up a brilliant partnership with Thiago Silva – arguably the best centre back pairing in Europe – but the alternatives to these two at Milanello are not good enough. If either own-goal king Kakha Kaladze or the 38-year-old Giuseppe Favalli are handed the keys to controlling the Diego Milito machine then Milan could be in big trouble.
As I have stated numerous times this season: if Milan are to have any hope of winning the Scudetto or the Champions League then both Nesta and Thiago Silva must not only stay fit for almost the entire season but they must play in the big games.
A medical update on Nesta’s situation is expected on Thursday, and its results could have a huge bearing on this season’s Scudetto race.
Inside Goal.Com
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