Ignazio Abate is understandably full of pride as his AC Milan Primavera team booked their place in the final four of the UEFA Youth League with a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
The enormity of this European run for Milan cannot be understated as they finished top of a group with Chelsea, RB Salzburg (last year’s finalists) and Dinamo Zagreb before beating both FC Rukh Lviv (who knocked out Inter) and favourites Atletico Madrid to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever.
Goals from Dariusz Stalmach and Youns El Hilali in each half were enough to overcome Fernando Torres’ Atleti side, and the Primavera will play the winner of Borussia Dortmund vs. Hajduk Split on April 21 at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon.
At the end of the game Abate spoke to the microphones of Sky Italia in front of a celebratory crowd of nearly 1,000 people at the PUMA House of Football, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
A historic result for the Milan youth sector…
“The truth is that it is a historic result. We had never made it past the last 16 of the Youth League. Unexpectedly we are in the semi-finals, I dedicate it to my boys.
“I must also remember the words of the club, when on the first day I signed the contract with Paolo Maldini, Ricky Massara and Danzè, and they asked me to believe it, that we could fit perfectly in this competition.
“Slowly we grew. It was a crescendo. We set up a very young team this year, we knew the difficulties. In the league our path has been fluctuating, we pay for the difference in age, two-three years.
“In the Youth League, on the other hand, we’ve always had good performances against strong teams. I think this achievement is deserved. Today we had a very good match against an experienced and very very strong team.”
After the first goal you were in control…
“We started off a bit tense, the boys felt the importance of the match. For the first time it was sold out here at our home. They are a strong, intense team with great quality.
“The boys understood that they could fit into the competition and their qualities came out. We risked little, we started to come out from behind. I’m happy with the boys. But we haven’t done anything yet: now we’ll play in a historic semi-final.”
Do you see some of your boys having the chance to make it into the first team?
“I have to say that anyone in the squad has qualities. We have set up a very young team, focusing on quality players, some may be still behind in the path. Everyone has the talent to aspire to an important career.
“That is the goal of the Youth Sector, trying to bring players into the first team. Surely there are some very interesting profiles, you have to let them grow. It’s better not to name names, because they are also a bit strange generations (laughs).
“They are guys who need to be given a mentality, to frame them, make them understand that the road is long and tortuous and many sacrifices are needed. I’m very happy with my boys, they put their spirit and heart into it. In terms of quality, there are certainly some very, very interesting guys.”
This team resembles you in terms of intensity and attitude…
“You’re right. I like a technical, reasoned football, but you can’t ignore the attitude and desire. They went beyond the obstacle with their hearts, they certainly reflect me.”
Your former team-mate Ibrahimovic meanwhile could be a starter against Udinese…
“Mister Pioli, who sees him every day, will certainly take care of it. It is not part of my skills. I can say about Zlatan that going back to being like this at 41… We see him spending 10 hours a day at Milanello, he can only be an example for my boys. He has an incredible desire to record again. And then let’s call him a kid, otherwise he’ll get angry if we say he’s getting older (laughs).”
