While AC Milan’s mens team are locked in a battle to defend the Scudetto and go further in Europe, there are also crucial campaigns underway for the Primavera and the Womens team.
Milan Primavera struggled on their return to the top flight and they narrowly avoided a relegation play-off last season under Federico Giunti that could have even seen them drop back into the second division. The Femminile, meanwhile, had a largely underwhelming campaign and missed out on Europe, so answers were needed on both fronts.
They began the season with back to back defeats against Frosinone at home (5-3) and Sampdoria away (2-1), while they also lost to Fiorentina (1-0) in round four However, a 5-1 win against Cesena and a 2-0 win over Calgiari in the last round have them on six points, with Bologna away the next fixture.
The real positives have been in the UEFA Youth League which the team automatically qualify for thanks to the senior side reaching the Champions League.
After finishing bottom of the group last season under Giunti, Abate’s team are top of the group after a 1-1 draw with last season’s finalists Red Bull Salzburg and a 3-0 home win over Dinamo Zagreb, with a double header against Chelsea up next.
It is a similar story for Maurizio Ganz’s Womens team as they started the season slowly in the league, losing 3-1 at home to Fiorentina in round one and then losing 2-0 away against Roma the next week.
However, the response has been solid with back to back wins against Sassuolo at home (3-1) and Parma away (4-0) setting them up well for an upcoming home game against Sampdoria, before the derby against Inter on October 15.
The Rossonere are sixth in the table with six points from four games, with Inter the early pace-setters having won three of their first four.
The big problem for the primaveraside is that they have very poor goalskeepers and a shaky defense. Improved when Simic came in, but still shaky. Coubis has many nice qualities but tactical astuteness and positioning is not one of them. Only interesting players so far this season as been him and El Hilali.