UNDER 16S WITH THE WIND IN THEIR SAILS

2024 for Coach Baldo's Under-16s could not have started any better. After the draw in the derby against Inter which closed out the first half of the season, the young Rossoneri put together three consecutive wins to open up the second part and maintain top spot in the table, strengthened by the 5-0 win over Südtirol last time out. After 16 games, in fact, AC Milan are travelling with the wind in their sails and a campaign, so far, made up of twelve wins, three draws and only one defeat.

The only setback came on 1 October 2023 against Como, avenged with the 3-1 win at the end of January away from home. 39 points and 50 goals scored: no other team, in the three groups of the A and B Allievi Nazionali leagues have done better. The best attack in the league reserved for players born in 2008 sees three Rossoneri lads with at least eight goals to their name, Simon La Mantia top scorer with nine thanks to his hat-trick away to Südtirol last weekend.

Behind La Mantia is the duo of Simone Lupo and Filippo Plazzotta - both on eight goals - in a team that can boast a total of 13 different scorers. It is a collective effort that allows Baldo's side to stay ahead of the chasing frontrunners, Inter and Monza (both on 36 points). "The team has lost some of the its most influential players from last season, and despite seemingly having no stand-outs at the start, a real team has emerged, who are performing at a high-level," says Coach Baldo.

"The boys are working really well, they apply themselves and have grown a lot in terms of individual quality", continued the Rossoneri coach. "We are doing well, regardless of being top, because those players who were initially a little behind are now also developing well. I am satisfied with the work because the boys take on what we want quickly, and have good margins for improvement and growth."

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