Maldini exposed as Milan put to sword

IF Giovanni Trapattoni was watching, then the Italy coach must now be having second thoughts about inviting Paolo Maldini to come out of international retirement for Euro 2004.

Maldini was not the only offender, but he was culpable of several defensive crimes as AC Milan surrendered meekly and most uncharacteristically to Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions League.

The 4-0 loss left Milan bewildered, as they threw away a 4-1 lead from the first leg to go out 5-4 on aggregate.

Maldini quit international football after the World Cup in 2002, deciding to commit himself to Milan for the rest of his playing days.

That was initially accepted by Trapattoni, until he realised just how well Maldini was still performing at Milan.

Now it has become almost an obsession of Trapattoni to bring back the veteran defender for one more summer tournament the man who made his debut for Milan at the age of 16 will turn 36 during Euro 2004.

But perhaps Wednesday's display in the fragmented Milan backline was the proof which Trapattoni required that Maldini is no longer as sturdy as the rock upon which the Italian defence was built for many years.

But just as disconcerting to the Azzurri boss might have been the performance of Alessandro Nesta, whose error allowed Albert Luque time and space in which to ram home Depor's third goal of the night, a minute before the break.

Nesta is assured of his place on the plane to Portugal, but he was fragile and, like a number of team-mates, began the game with an air of haughtiness about him, seemingly convinced that Milan were assured of their place in the last four.

Cafu admitted that Milan had rolled over under pressure from the home side.

He told the Milan website that it was time for the players to put the sorry episode behind them.

"Milan still have the necessary strengths to react and confirm the good things they have done so far," he added.

"We still have the championship, the season is not over yet."