The head coach of AC Milan’s Primavera side, Ignazio Abate, was full of praise for his team after they beat Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Youth League this afternoon.
Milan emerged 2-1 winners in Dortmund and the first goal came via a teasing Chaka Traore free-kick from the left wing that was flicked in by Diego Sia at the near post, while the second saw Traore win the ball back and set up Kevin Zeroli who finished well.
You can watch the goals in our post-match review article, while Abate spoke to Milan TV after the game to assess the result and the performance from his side.
“I think that Europe is part of the DNA of this club. Above all, I’m happy for the boys, for the application, desire and spirit they put into it. I put little of my own into it, because they have quality and talent, but I always say that this is a team sport, you play 11 against 11,” he said.
“The pitch is so big that if you don’t put spirit, desire and unity into it then it gets tough. Today the boys did it against a very strong team. We did the first half with great quality and personality.
“The first 20 minutes of the second half were balanced, then we suffered in the last ten minutes. I’m happy with the changes that came in with determination, with mentality and this encapsulates the photograph of this group.
“It takes great humility. Now we enjoy it,let’s go and cheer on the grown-ups and tomorrow morning it should be put aside immediately.
“We wanted to start strong, trying not to let them play on the two central defenders, we did it very well with Diego [Sia] and Kevin [Zeroli]. The whole team did it, I wouldn’t be correct in naming names, because there was unity, courage and a spirit that was not indifferent also and above all from those who came on.
“I didn’t like the changes in Florence due to their attitude, today they entered with a mentality and then it’s everyone’s turn to play.
“Today we put a 2007 player, Sala, in such an important competition. Camarda is playing continuously. Little by little we will include everyone, the important thing is that whoever joins feels 100% part of this group.
“The spirit shown last year in the Youth League we are also bringing to the league. When you make trips like this you feel it two days before from the boys. Tension, a few less words. Today they were tense to the right point and entered into pitch wanting to play the match and I’m happy about it.
“These matches make you grow and we enjoy it, but let’s put it aside quickly, because a very difficult match awaits us. Then we’ll take a breather for two days and then there will be another difficult cycle. In this spirit we will face them with humility.”
