Welcome back Sandro

With Paolo Maldini retiring, the Milan defence was in need of some leadership, quality and youth mixed into its ranks this summer. Youth, and great potential have come in the form Thiago Silva. But quality and leadership have returned with Alessandro Nesta. Nesta, who played only thirteen minutes in one game in Serie A last season against Fiorentina has since the season begun sent out a timely reminder of why he was the best central defender in the world a few seasons ago. It seemed barely possible a year ago, when again injury beset the great man, that he would insert such steel and consistency at the back of the San Siro line. However, despite being the wrong side of 30, Nesta looks fresh and hungry in all his play, even going forward now as two goals against Chievo testify. Some of this could be attributable to not just last year out on the injury shelf but also much of the 2006-2007 Champions League winning season also. Perhaps, in his mind, laurels and great moments of old cannot be relied upon anymore. In many respects, he has had to prove his current quality all over again and has done so to such an extent that calls for his International retirement have been called to end.

Indeed, in as much as Nesta has turned his fortunes for the better this season, so have Milan as time has gone by. The 4-0 defeat in week two to Inter now seems a distant memory with victory over Real Madrid in Spain now seemingly being a source of inspiration for them. Of course the season is young and for Nesta, with his catalogue of injury history, one hopes that this done now recur for him again. But, who knows, perhaps if current performances continue like this for both Nesta and Milan he could add to his haul of trophies, that include two Champions League titles, two Scudetti and two European Super cups. But for now, like us, its just good to see him back in action again.