AC Milan’s Primavera side booked their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League for the first time ever with yesterday’s win over Atletico Madrid.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have picked out some of the big names behind their run to the final four of the competition starting with Chaka Traoré who ‘ignites the imagination’. He can play on either wing but prefers starting on the left, and he has three Serie A appearances already with Parma having made his debut at the age of 16.
In defence the two rocks have been Andrei Coubis and Jan-Carlo Simic who are 19 and 17 years old respectively, and they ‘imitate the centre-backs of the first team’ because they are attentive, physical and solid.
In midfield Dariusz Stalmach was chosen as man of the match after he scored the opening goal with one of his trademark runs into the box, finishing a cross that came from full-back Adam Bakoune who was the only player born in 2006 on the pitch.
The other names that deserve a mention from Ignazio Abate’s side are goalkeeper Lapo Nava who has not conceded in his last four games, left-back Andrea Bozzolan, midfielder Kevin Zeroli and striker Youns El Hilali.
The three best players were Zeroli, Stalmach and Eletu, 18, 17, and 17.
Hope they can play in Milan first team.