UNDER 16: ONE LAST PUSH
Focus
The Under-16 team, under the guidance of Ignazio Abate, continue to win and impress, as they earned a deserved place in the National Finals. Looking good after a 1-0 away win in the first leg, the Rossoneri brushed aside Vicenza 3-0 in the semi-final return leg at Vismara, thanks to goals from Luca Martinazzi, Tommaso Mancioppi e Michael Vitali. It was the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, with three wins for the young Rossoneri and a draw.
An enthusiastic Coach Abate said: "We played very well, started really strongly, and after the first goal went in, the game was only going to go one way. We managed the game well and created many good chances. I'm most pleased for the lads, to see them jumping up with joy is special. Regardless of results, their growth this year has been superb".
The youngsters finished top of Group B on 42 points ahead of Atalanta and Inter, eliminating along the way Benevento, Monza and Vicenza. They now head towards the final challenge of the season unbeaten in all of their previous games in this final phase: "We're only a few days away and it will be a good test for both teams", says Abata, "whatever the outcome, it won't take anything away from the incredible year these lads have had".
They will now look to finish off this long yet extraordinary year in perfect fashion against Roma on Saturday 25 June at 20.00 (CEST), at the stadio 'Del Duca' in Ascoli Piceno. The team from the capital saw off Juventus 4-2 on aggregate, in the other two-legged semifinal tie.
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