Milan Futuro head coach Daniele Bonera has stressed how proud he is to be leading the new team, while he also revealed how his working relationship with Paulo Fonseca and the first team will operate.
The Coppa Italia Serie C match against Lecco on Saturday will be a historic occasion for Bonera and his team quite literally, given that it will be the first professional game that the Milan Futuro will play having been launched over the summer.
Yesterday, Milan announced the signing of Samuele Longo for the U23 team, and the veteran striker joins Matteo Dutu (18, CB), Davide Mastrantonio (20, GK), Gabriele Minotti (21, CB), Mattia Sandri (23, CM) and Mbarick Fall (27, ST) as the new signings so far.
There is a lot of anticipation to see how talents like Francesco Camarda, Kevin Zeroli, Davide Bartesaghi, Diego Sia, Filippo Scotti, Hugo Cuenca and others fare against senior sides as opposed to other youth teams.
Bonera spoke to Milan TV two days before the first competitive game that the team will play, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.
What did the summer friendlies tell you?
“We had some very good indications, we looked at many players, even those from the Primavera with whom we started. This project will see us set up in this, trying to grow the boys from the Primavera to the Milan Futuro and from the Milan Futuro to the First Team. It’s a month of intense work, I must say that the boys make me proud.”
Where are you at with the squad construction?
“Abundance is always a good thing for a coach, then I will have to make choices. The fact that some of the boys with the First Team have already carved out some important moments is part of our objectives.”
It’s the next step in your journey as a coach…
“It’s definitely the step I wanted to take, doing it with this shirt is something unthinkable. I’ve always been a Rossonero, the fact of being able to manage a team in all respects, individually, is one of the goals I set myself when I started this career, first as a collaborator and now as a manager.”
How will your relationship with Fonseca work? Will there be a shared style of play?
“With mister Fonseca we shared the first week of work, meetings with the staff and with him to understand what the idea is. We will have a common line that will lead us to do similar things. Then obviously there will be my customisation and what will be a bit the characteristics of the guys that I will have available for each single match. It will be an open construction site all year.”
The Coppa Italia is the first challenge…
“Our goal will be to get through this round of the Coppa Italia. There are logistical difficulties, some guys have returned from the United States with the First Team, I still don’t know if anyone will be part of the group for the match. However, I must say that being here gives me ample guarantees to ensure that a good match can come out.”
What did you ask of the team?
“Maximum commitment, I told the guys that from day one. Total availability, for the needs of the first team. And great enthusiasm. Wearing this jersey at such a young age you have to stand out for enthusiasm, that without a doubt.”
What kind of a season do you expect?
“It will be a season that sees us in our first edition, so with all the difficulties of the case, you also see other clubs that have started with difficulties. But I am a positive person, I always try to see the good side. What the company has made available to me up to now is something unthinkable for the category. No excuses, let’s try to have a good season.”
Forza Milano, we move
I’m sorry to be honest but Bonera did not give me a good impression with the senior team against Roma in that friendly match. Doesn’t look like one for good football and developing kids. I will be more than happy to see him succeeding with the Futuro tho.
Abate would of been the better choice to coach this team.
Abate choose to move on , he want to coach first team like inzaghi seadorf Gattuso after coaching the primavera but this is a new milan no more try n error. He knows the boys better and he should have stayed