(Photo by New Press/Getty Images)
Kaka has left, Paolo Maldini has retired, Carlo Ancelloti left for Chelsea, and now it seems as though Andrea Pirlo might leave as well, not to mention Alexandre Pato. Things do not appear so rosy for Milan at first glance.
And yet, Milan is in better shape than it might seem at first glance. Take a closer look, and you'll discover a team that might just surprise everyone in the up-and-coming Champions League season.
Most people, mainly fans of the EPL, have written off AC Milan (just like the rest of the Italian contingent participating in the Champions League) already. They like to point out that with Kaka gone, Milan has lost their best player who supposedly up until now had been dragging them up a steep, steep mountain.
Kaka, although my favorite player and a player of immense skill, nigh irreplaceable skill, does not signify the utter downfall of Milan and the entire apocalyptic breakdown of the Italian league.
With all the hype today concentrated on just single players of a certain team such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi and how much they themselves alone can do for an entire team, people have begun to forget the fact that football is above all, a team sport.
No player can play all 11 positons on the pitch. Cristiano would never have been able to achieve the dizzying heights he did without Man United, neither could Messi without Barcelona, and neither could have Kaka without Milan.
Because although these players can do unbelievable things with the ball at their feet, what happens when they don't have possession? Because for all their attacking prowess, they aren't exactly known for their abilities to win back possession. And that's where the rest of the team comes in.
Plus, if anybody has the ability to replace him, it has to be Ronaldinho who is already on the squad. He started his Milan career in a great fashion, only to get injured and then completely ignored by Ancellotti.
Now, he will have his last chance to show the world that he can still be a nightmare for defenders, and you can bet your bottom dollar that he'll take it.
Age is another factor for Milan. Currently, Milan stands as one of the oldest teams in Europe, and that has led to it being dubbed a "retirement home" for has-been stars. And to a certain extent that is true, the team's average age is a little too far over 30, however, players like Pirlo (age 30) are still some of the best in their respective positions.
Granted, Pirlo did have a drop in form but some would argue that he has regained it at the Confederations Cup and although he may not be back to his absolute best, he has played great.
Alessandro Nesta used to be widely considered as the best CB in the world previous to his back injuries, and although he made just one lonely substitute appearance for the entire '08-'09 season (last game of that season vs. Fiorentina), he still looked the part and hopefully he can still play the part.
Fillipo Inzaghi, as if by some divine magic, still has the ability to bang in the goals at the ripe, old age of 35 (it's beyond me how he does it, he seems to be the luckiest striker ever).
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