THE UNDER‑16s CONTINUE TO GROW

At the last round-up, we had left the Rossoneri Under-16s on a run of three consecutive victories, a significant streak to kick off 2024 and the second half of the season for a team that wants to do something special at this level. We are now in mid-March and the lads' growth continues to be seen. In fact, AC Milan are third in the table – having played one game less - and fresh from a great and dominant victory away to Brescia last weekend.

It was a win that made up for the defeat at Lecco and which brings qualification to the national phase, mathematically speaking, significantly closer; a top-six finish in the group is enough. They are twelve points ahead of 7th place and Lecco's extra game played means that one point will be enough to reach that goal next weekend, at home to Hellas Verona. Coach Baldo's boys, however, have greater ambitions and are aiming for bigger results to confirm this talented group's continuous and organic growth. Group leaders Inter have an eight-point lead (having played a game more), but the race to catch Monza in second place is still definitely wide open.

The side from Brianza have a two-point advantage having played a game more. By winning the rearranged game with Atalanta on 4 April (five points behind in fourth), the Rossoneri would become masters of their own destiny in the race for second place. This would allow AC Milan's Under 16 to automatically enter the round of 16 national competition, thus, confirming the growth seen over the course of these last few months. "The team had an excellent first half of the season, in terms of results but also in terms of performances and individual growth: the signs are good", Coach Baldo said.

"Now, we have lost some players and this has brought us some setbacks, but the boys are recovering and working with enthusiasm to try and finish as high up in the table as possible." The coach of our Under-16s continues with a general consideration on the group's progress: "It is important to evaluate the lads in moments of difficulty and see how they react. Also, this is also a period of growth, coming out of it. We've had some reactions that have made me happy, that made me reflect on how to work with these lads," he concluded.

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