Maldini: Milan need a target

Paolo Maldini advises Milan to identify an objective this season, as he does not see that they have been built with anything particular in mind.

The Rossoneri are showing signs of rejuvenation under Pippo Inzaghi, following his arrival as Coach and a number of changes to the playing staff once more.

However, for one of the club’s legends of recent time, the general direction of management at San Siro is not clear.

Paolo Maldini advises Milan to identify an objective this season, as he does not see that they have been built with anything particular in mind.

The Rossoneri are showing signs of rejuvenation under Pippo Inzaghi, following his arrival as Coach and a number of changes to the playing staff once more.

However, for one of the club’s legends of recent time, the general direction of management at San Siro is not clear.

“Many things have changed. This Milan is a new group with a new Coach,” Maldini has considered this week in comments reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The reality is that they do not yet know what their real objective is – certainly it is not the Scudetto, but I do think they can enter into contention for the Champions League places.

“The difference compared to my Milan? Simple – different times and different investments. And these correspond with different results.

“It is an equation that is never wrong. Without money, management is complicated.

“The work in the transfer market says that the club has planned little. They should focus on a goal – if it is to win, then not enough was done. This is not a team built to win.”

Even so, the former full-back has backed Inzaghi to succeed.

“If he has got to where he has, then it means that he is good. An apprenticeship is not necessary. I had several teammates who were already potential Coaches. He was one of those who I thought would make it.”

Mario Balotelli was the most notable departure from Milan this summer.

“His life is in his hands. But it cannot be said that his growth is yet completed.”

Maldini was strongly linked with returning to the Rossoneri earlier this year, to take a role within club management, but rumours have since gone cold.

“There was contact, then I have not really heard from anyone. If they call me, I would speak again, but I am not going to search them out.

“And it is not written anywhere that I must work at Milan. If I happen to, great, otherwise, okay. For not there is nothing that to make me return.

“The Ultras’ protest at my last game? I am happy with what happened. In that way, that day, I have distanced myself from a type of world that I felt no belonging to.”