UNDER 18: A CLEAR IDENTITY

The 1-0 win achieved at Frosinone - scored by Alexandru Siman - in the most recent weekend of league action perfectly illustrates the year and characteristics of the Rossoneri Under 18s: few goals scored, very few conceded. The trend that had emerged in the first half of the season has thus far been carried on also in this second half of the season.

The team's identity is clear, the numbers don't lie, and they are of a high standard. Christian Terni's team is solid and compact, which concedes little to next to nothing to their opponents, and has character. The Rossoneri are unbeaten in ten matches, in which they have collected five wins - including those in the top-of-the-table clashes against Roma and Inter - and the same amount of draws. However, four of these have ended up 0-0.

The margins for growth are therefore to be found in the attacking side of the game. It is in this area that the team must find greater consistency to make that definitive leap in quality. This is the next step for the class of 2006, because no one has done better than the twelve clean sheets collected in 22 league fixtures. Furthermore, they have only let in 15 goals, 13 less than the second-placed side in this ranking.

Up front, however, they have bagged 29 goals so far - thirteenth best in the league - but this does not fully reflect the quality of the squad, with several players who have already gained experience with the Primavera. The Rossoneri are right in the mix for finishing in the top positions and currently sit in second place, together with Roma, on 42 points, while leaders Inter are five points ahead. It is tight at the top and the business end of the season promises to be hard-fought and open to surprises until the final ninety minutes of the game.

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