Simic and Jimenez on the pitch with Napoli, Eletu on the bench: other glimpses of the kids’ Milan

Simic’s post kept the AC Milan fans in suspense for a couple of seconds. Just enough time to realize that you had avoided a draw by just a centimeter. The Primavera centre-back, called to the first team to grow behind the greats, experienced the worst moment of his career. An own goal at San Siro, especially against Napoli, would have branded him as the culprit for weeks, and instead Lady Luck guided the ball onto the woodwork. No own goal, no consoling words from Pioli, rather a pat on the back for the good performance in the stadium of dreams, where Simic already scored some time ago.

alex from talavera

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Milan ended a big match with two Primavera players on the pitch at the end. In addition to Simic, Pioli also gave minutes to Alex Jimenez, the Spaniard who arrived on loan from Real Madrid and already a protagonist in the championship and Italian Cup. Born and raised in Talavera, an hour’s drive from Madrid, this year he started against Empoli, Cagliari and Atalanta, drawing applause and acclaim from the San Siro. Real Madrid retains the right to buy back. The two clubs will sit at the table and negotiate the purchase outright. Jimenez, 18 years old, is a flexible full-back with a good run. He can play left and right taking advantage of his offensive skills. Pioli is working on the defensive phase and coverages. Against Napoli he took Pulisic’s place and positioned himself above the walls of the fort, trying to contain the Azzurri’s attacks from the flanks. Test passed.

simic and the others

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Simic already has six first-team matches, four in the league and two in the Italian Cup. Against Napoli he played 24 minutes and scored a 6. The autopalo saved him, but in previous outings he showed that he can be among the greats: against Monza, for example, he took Pobega’s place after about twenty of minutes and then scored the 2-0 on an assist from Leao, tapping in on a loose ball in the middle of the area. A remnant of his past as a striker. As a kid he played there, then he moved up to defense. Pioli has shown that he has a special feeling with young people. In addition to Simic and Jimenez, Bartesaghi, Chaka Traorè (now in Palermo), Zeroli and Camarda also made their debuts, on the pitch at 15 and a half years old. A Serie A record. Finally, against Napoli, Victor Eletu, 18 years old, a Nigerian midfielder with three goals and four assists in the Primavera, also went to the bench. Maybe soon it will be his turn too.