Abate follows Pioli’s lead and changes system as Milan Primavera go 98 days without a win

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan’s Primavera side dropped into the relegation play-off zone in the league after a 3-0 defeat against Frosinone today as the domestic struggles continue.

The Primavera have not scored a goal in almost a month and the misery today was compounded by Condello – formerly of Milan’s U18 side – as scored twice and drew the foul for the penalty.

Frosinone are second in the table and have a very talented squad, but the worrying trend continued as Milan have now not won a game since November 6 when they thrashed Atalanta 4-0 not long after securing top spot in the UEFA Youth League group stages.

There have been struggles for other top sides in the Primavera 1 though as Napoli sit below the Rossoneri, with Inter and Atalanta also in the bottom half, but Abate’s men are on an awful run and could get further dragged into trouble if Udinese (second bottom, five points below) start picking up wins.

Abate chose to mix things up for the game today interestingly, following the lead of senior team head coach Stefano Pioli by switching to a three-man defence to try and provide more protection given the defensive woes, which have seen nine goals conceded in the last three games.

Nava was in goal with a back three of Simić, Paloschi and Nsiala, then Gala and Bartesaghi were the wing-backs with Eletu and Zeroli as the midfield double pivot. El Hilali and Cuenca were the attacking midfielders behind Longhi.

Therefore, it was a 3-4-2-1 system that Abate chose to deploy, just as Pioli has abandoned his preferred 4-2-3-1, but it certainly did not bring about a turnaround in fortunes during today’s 3-0 defeat.

What will be interesting to monitor is whether the synergy between the first team and Primavera continues, given it could make it easier for players who eventually make the step up, if they come into a system they are used to.

Tags AC Milan Milan Primavera

4 Comments

  1. He has a habit of making strange decision regarding whom to play. He does not field the best players. I cant get my head around it. Nziala in defence is just awful. He is no defender. He is a midfielder.

    That being said, Coubis and Traore has been injured for a long time. And those two guys are very important to this team.

  2. Why the f* do we keep hiring incompetent idiots as our primavera coaches. It baffles me . This is why we don’t have many players making the step up to senior team. Terrible management. Abate if it wasn’t for his pace would’ve been Serie b/c player himself. I remember everyone calling him headless chicken. What will he teach these young kids.

  3. Lots of bad players who have become great coaches. I only judge by what I have seen so far, and I have seen a lot of primaveramatches. That I am not a certified coach does not deny me that right to have an opinion, as long as it is reasoned.

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