UNDER 16 ROUND‑UP AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Top of the class. The Under 16s are the first category in the Rossoneri youth sector to go through to the Round of 16 stages after finishing top of their group. To reach this achievement, all that was needed was a win in Trentino, which comfortably arrived (4-0) thanks to the side's leading scorer Francesco Camarda, who bagged a hattrick and moved onto 22 for the season.

Against the league's bottom side, the 2007-class continued one of their rules of thumb this season, score without conceding. It's already happened on numerous occasions this season for the league's best attack (15 more goals ahead of the second-highest scoring team) and the best defence in Group B (+3): 58 goals for and 14 against in 18 games. It's been a fantastic year so far that hasn't only deservedly opened the doors to the final rounds of the competition, but has put them in a strong position to fight for the Scudetto.

Hopes of going right to the end are legitimate and will be fostered at every step of the way. The final is still six games away, almost a mini-league to play with two-legged affairs in the Round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final. AC Milan already know they are the third-best side, having earned 44 points, ahead of Parma (38) in Group A but behind Fiorentina (49) and Roma (46) in Group C and D, respectively. As a consequence, the U16s will play their last-16 second leg at home, as they wait to see who their opponents will be - the sixth-best side qualified through the playoffs (composed of the sides who finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the table).

Credit and congratulations must go to Coach Baldo, his staff, and the lads for the work undertaken so far. Now, the most difficult yet most satisfying part of the season is to come, facing it in the most carefree way possible:  develop, enjoy the ride, and, if there's space, put the cherry on top of the cake, lads.

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