SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

Each season is made up of precise timeframes. In the first weeks of pre-season, for example, the team train in reduced numbers to allow those whose season was extended due to international commitments to rest a little longer. During this period, the squad is supplemented by youngsters, whether from the Primavera or elsewhere. Often, they're players who have returned from loan deals.

Sometimes, Youth Sector players from younger age categories will be asked to get involved. These are youngsters who are very eager to have the opportunity to showcase their talents alongside the "big boys". AC Milan's training match against Lemine Almenno was no exception in this respect.

Indeed, with the Rossoneri lining up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, two youngsters were selected to start by Coach Pioli: full-back Andrei Coubis, who has been a leading figure in the Primavera side for the past two seasons, and central defender Nikolaos Michelis, who, after a fantastic season in the Primavera 1 division, played for Dutch side Willem II in 2021/22. Both featured in two of the three 20-minute periods of the run-out. Luca Stanga, who captained the Primavera in 2021/22 and made his Serie A debut away to Venezia on 9 January, was also involved.

Meanwhile, Emil Roback, who made his first-team debut against Genoa in the Coppa Italia earlier on this year, spent the final 20 minutes on the pitch, as did Marco Brescianini, who played for Monza in Serie B last season. Three other Primavera 2021/22 players – Andreas Jungdal, Chaka Traorè and Giovanni Robotti – were also given a chance to impress on Wednesday. Not forgetting Marco Frigerio, either, who spent last year on loan to Lucchese. Then, we have the youngest player to feature against Lemine Almenno: 16-year-old Davide Bartesaghi, who was part of the AC Milan U17 side who made it to the Scudetto semi-finals last season.

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