Looking at the predicted line-ups for AC Milan’s Europa League opener against Benfica, Filippo Terracciano’s name is a bit of a surprise.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have retraced the steps of an interesting summer for Terracciano. On May 24, Cremonese’s relegation to Serie B meant their €3.5m buy-out obligation fell through, so the full-back would return to his parent club.
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Milan had sent him to Cremona hoping they would stay in Serie A so they could sell him permanently. When Marco Giampaolo’s team (Davide Nicola’s replacement) failed to stay in Serie A (the condition required for the purchase), no one was thrilled.
Less than three months later, the situation has changed dramatically, and Filippo – thanks to his commitment and determination in training – has earned Ruben Amorim’s trust. He has been kept in the squad at least until January, and tonight he will start in the Europa League at San Siro.
A positive example
Terracciano is symbolic of the idea of getting a clean slate under a new manager. He started from the bottom of the hierarchies and through hard work earned the respect of the Portuguese coach, who asked the club not to let him go.
In their Europa League opener, Mario Gila will be given some rest. Amorim will focus on the former Verona player and not on Fikayo Tomori, who was reinstated after failing to secure a move to the Premier League on the final day of the transfer window.
Filippo is more ready than Fikayo: he trained with the group from day one and hasn’t stopped, while the Englishman was among the surplus players for three weeks.
Terracciano is a player willing to sacrifice themselves for the team, having played every possible position in his career, aside from in net and in attack.
He currently plays on the right of the three-man defence but previously at Hellas Verona he was a box-to-box midfielder, a wing-back, and even a full-back in a back four. If there’s a gap, he covers it, with maximum effort.
He was acquired by Milan in the 2022 winter transfer window for €4.5m plus €1.5m in bonuses. He has made 24 appearances for the Rossoneri so far, but fate is granting him another opportunity, again in Europe, where he has played two Champions League matches and two Europa League matches.
He would have thought of anything but this opportunity when – losing 4-1 at home to Como on the final day of last season – he was relegated to Serie B with Cremonese. Football sometimes throws up surprises, and Filippo hopes to seize his moment.
Mama Mia!!!!
nah he trash… hope for an Italian to develop but I just don’t see him developing well enough to reach our standards.
him with Tomori, Bondo, Estupido, Butt-Cheeks have to all leave in winter
I’d love nothing more for Amorim to turn this guy around but he’s shown me close to nothing so far …
exactly, my point.
I think we already have a great replacement for Estupido in Athekame. just leaves CCB and left-CAM in January.
This will not go well.
What is wrong with Amorin that he has to have these guys (Estupian, Terracciano) loose us a game before he is comfortable to agree with the long experience of others.
Terraciano was terrible in the preseason.
I guess this means Estupinan will remain the starter against Lecce also.
Amorim must be trying to get out of competing in the Europa League as soon as possible
I must admit I struggle to understand Amorim’s reasoning for insisting on The Perv, RLC & Terracciano. He was eager to get rid of Leao, Fofana & Gimenez but time after time keeps on playing the first trio even though they’ve never shown any signs of being even remotely useful in any way for him. WTF is going on? 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Should Amorim fail at Milan, he has only himself to blame.
💯 For sure!
Coaches see things we don’t. Things change. Not long ago Musah was was our proverbial headless chicken.
Forza Terracciano. 3 Italians starting tonight it seems.
Exactly.
The same rants about Terracciano were all being said about Musah just a days ago.
He’s still a young player.
Can potentially cover several positions.
And occupies a list spot that most others can’t (National trained).
He’s coming off a season where he played almost every game as a RCB in a back 3. He even scored 2 goals for Cremonese. 1 more than Santi and Fullkrug combined.
Give him a chance.
Amorim seemed to be lost, confused 🤔
The good news this is b like team..
And ramos is not worth that amount sadly
Nope, doesn’t seem so… 🫣
Hard work…😆😆
This is football game not construction site…😆