AC Milan have only two players in the senior age groups of the youth national teams of Italy, while they do not have a single player in the senior side.
Despite the change in head coach from Roberto Mancini to Luciano Spalletti, Milan still have no representation in the Italy side. Captain Davide Calabria has been excluded again, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Matteo Darmian preferred instead.
As Calciomercato.com report, Sandro Tonali was the one who was seemingly a lock-in for the Azzurri squad but he was sold to Newcastle United over the summer to finance the incoming transfer market which strengthened Stefano Pioli’s sqyad.
Staying on the subject of full-backs, Davide Bartesaghi and Vittorio Magni are the only players in the Milan squad called up for the national team among the Under 21, Under 20 and Under 19 sides, meaning they are two ‘white flies’.
This U19 team are coached by Bernardo Corradi, who called up the two young Rossoneri talents for the friendlies against Northern Ireland (Thursday 7 September) and the Netherlands (Monday 11 September).
Bartesaghi turns 18 years old on December 29 and plays on the left side of the defence. He has been promoted to the first team by Pioli as the new deputy to Theo Hernandez.
Magni plays on the right side of the back four and is a year younger. It will be the task of the new head of Milan’s youth sector, Vincenzo Vergine (arriving from Roma) to improve the red and black presence in the blue shirt.
In order for Bartesaghi to play Florenzi has to have his upcoming injury first. but hopefully he fits well in the team then Theo will finally be able to rest sometimes.
It’s a shame really.
Milan desperately need a B team / NextGen team to provide senior level exposure for the young players. The level of the Primavera or loaning out players to low tier clubs are definitely not good enough or can guarantee the youth players receive the required experience to improve