Contrary to popular opinion, Paolo Maldini doesn’t believe that Milan need to make sweeping changes this summer.
The world champions have had a miserable campaign and are in danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League.
It has widely been suggested that the Diavolo will revamp the squad at the end of the season, but Maldini has kept his faith in the current personnel.
“I don’t think that this Milan side needs to be rebuilt,” he claimed on the Milan Channel.
“This team won a prestigious competition - the Club World Cup - as recently as December – it wasn’t 20 years ago.
“There should be some continuity with this group and not a rebirth.”
One of the old guard who has been tipped to leave San Siro is Azzurri midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.
“I have read in the newspapers that there’s lots of interest for Gattuso, but I think that there have always been clubs watching him,” said Maldini.
“However, I have no doubt that the club wants to keep him and I don’t think that Rino wants to go.”
Pippo Inzaghi has made a spectacular return from injury, prompting some suggestions that he could be called up for Euro 2008.
“Lots of players are in contention for a place in Austria and Switzerland – Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Borriello, Pippo and many more,” Maldini stressed.
“They aren’t easy choices and I wouldn’t want to be the Coach.
“Generally, I think that Donadoni should go with the players who have made up the group during the two years of qualification.
“Then you take last minute physical condition into consideration and you can make a selection.”
Every game is must-win for Milan now if they are to claw back Fiorentina’s four-point advantage in fourth place and Maldini knows his side can’t afford to drop any more points.
“It doesn’t matter which games are home and which are away, we just have to give everything in these final five games,” he insisted.
“All there is for us to do is go out on the pitch and do everything we can and then we have to hope for Fiorentina to slip up. We just have to do our duty and win our games.”
