Roberto Mancini – the head coach of the Italian national team – has heaped praise on AC Milan’s project and several of their young players.
The Rossoneri have made huge progress on the field over the last year, having been fighting to get into the top six this time a year ago while now they are top of the table by three points and appear to be in the title race for the time being.
There is no doubt that this is due to some Italian influence too, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria and Alessio Romagnoli all immovable from the starting line-up while Sandro Tonali and Matteo Gabbia are regarded as bright future prospects.
Mancini gave a long interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he spoke about the title race and some of Milan’s youthful influence.
“Inter and Juve are better equipped, they remain the favorites, but it doesn’t mean that one of the two wins for sure. Milan, for example, can also go to the end. Now you have to take note. I didn’t expect them to do so well. You don’t win so much by chance,” he said (via Calciomercato.com).
“Calabria has grown a lot, in a role not covered in the Azzurri. He did well last time with us too. He has talent, personality and determination. A good player.
“Tonali’s struggles? It’s normal, he is very young. He arrived early in a big club and needs time to adapt. A bit like what happened to Romagnoli. But in the last few matches Tonali has done much better. Romagnoli has also grown. They could also be useful in the Azzurri.
“Donnarumma? Today he is the best goalkeeper in the world.”
