When Kaka was sold to Real Madrid many a Milan fan, myself included, wept. For Kaka was undoubtedly a Milan hero and one of the best if not the best player Milan have ever had. Kaka single handedly helped us to glory in the 2007 Champions League final whilst he also helped us to become World Champions and Italian Champions.

But when Kaka was sold to Real Madrid, there were rumours in Milan that the club were letting him go because the player was thought to have injury problems that would hamper him for the rest of his career. And it appears that this may be the case for it has been reported that the player needs to undergo additional training from now on to deal with a hernia injury. For all the criticism pointed at Galliani and co, myself being one of those to point fingers, it does appear like the club did make the right decision.

Furthermore, Kaka has been consistently under par in his performances for Madrid. Whether this is due to his injury problems is unknown, but what is sure is that Kaka’s injury problems along with his under par performances for Los Blancos are vindicating Milan’s decision to let him go. And whether or not Milan knew for sure about the injury problems Kaka had or was going to have, from a Milan perspective, it does not matter for it is only Real Madrid’s problem now.

January Transfer Window

For Milan, the January transfer window was again a lost opportunity. Sure Beckham was brought in, in what was a good move for despite his age Beckham still has much to offer. And the signing of Ghanian youngster Adiyiah is also a step in the right direction, for youth and quality is what we need and the young Ghanaian starlet has both in abundance.

But these two signings have not helped solve the major problems in the squad. That is, we are still worryingly short of quality in depth at centre back whilst in midfield we still have very few options and the options that we do have are running out of legs.

The signing of Mancini was a mistake, though a relatively costless one. But we do not need another player who is seemingly passed his best, should he fail to find his Roma-form again. On the other side of town, Inter made a most impressive signing in MacDonald Mariga. Mariga is exactly the type of player we do need. Mariga is a young and highly talented midfielder with a big future, able to play the ball as well as defensively able. In comparison to Inter, who also signed Pandev who ripped us apart in the derby, our January transfer policy was somewhat second best.

R80 at it again…. or was he?

There has been much speculation this week regarding an apparent party that Ronaldinho organised and attended in the lead up to the Milan derby.

Whilst we should not believe everything the media tells us, given Ronaldinho’s colourful past, one does suspect that there is at least a small kernel of truth. And if this is the case, then it simply is not good enough. Milan have denied that they find Ronaldinho and Ronaldinho has denied having the party, but one suspects the club is taking this course of action so as to not damage the Ronaldinho’s reputation as well as the clubs.

Fly Emirates sponsorship deal

In what can only be seen as good news, the head of Fly Emirates has signed a 60 million euro sponsorship deal with Milan in what amounts to 15 million euros per year until the year 2014.

There have been rumours that such a move by Sae ed Al Maktoum, the head of Fly Emirates, is merely a step in his attempt to take over the club. But this I do not buy. This is purely a sponsorship deal for the club, and a good one at that. With this deal, the club is nicely poised to make a real splash in the summer transfer marktet, we hope at least anyway.

Bologna

Milan need to get back to winning ways. Roma are now level with us on points, though with a game in hand. But we cannot afford to lose anymore ground on Inter otherwise our Scudetto hopes may just turn into a pipe dream.

The great news is that Nesta is back. This, we know, will make a huge difference. Dida also returns to the fold in what can be seen as good news also and Borriello has been declared fit to play and will start up front in his usual role.

What will be interesting to see is whether Leo reverts back to the midfield comprised of Seedorf, Pirlo and Ambrosini. This is a midfield lineup I strongly disagree with though I fear this is exactly what Leo will decide to do. Seedorf is finished, like Gattuso, and should not command a starting spot. In light of his impressive display last week, I would like to see Flamini picked ahead of Seedorf with Pirlo playing as a offensive midfielder, a role that he has impressed in during Seedorf’s absence.

Bologna will be no pushovers, but we should be able to take all three points home. Indeed, we need to bring all three points home if we are to entertain any Scudetto hopes any longer.