Tomorrow at 4pm the match that gives access to the semi-finals. Abate’s boys are struggling in the league but are traveling well in Europe. Madrid, however, is a steamroller
In a Vismara sold out, History will also take the field tomorrow at 4pm. Inevitable when Milan and Real Madrid face each other, teams with showcases full of trophies. This time the theater of confrontation is the quarterfinals of the Youth League, the young people’s Champions League, but the focus will always remain on class and spectacle. Between baby stars ready to take on the future, coaches on the launch pad and great exes.
big match
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The match is the most anticipated of the season, on both sides. And the two teams get there with different moods. After a super start in the league, Abate’s Primavera has slowed down and is experiencing a 2024 of ups and downs. In the new year, the Rossoneri managed to win only 3 out of 12 matches. One of these came on penalties, in the Youth League round of 16 against Braga. The other two in the league, on 6 January against Frosinone (0-2) and on 4 February against Cagliari (1-3). Then 5 defeats (one, against Fiorentina, which resulted in elimination from the Italian Cup) and 4 draws, which led to the current seventh place in the standings. Different story for baby whites of Arbeloa, second in their championship group with 53 points (-4 behind leaders Atletico Madrid). Thanks above all to an extra-large 2024, given that since January the Spaniards have won 11 out of 12 matches, losing only against Espanyol in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey and passing the round of 16 of YL against Leipzig. In the 12 matches in 2024, Abate’s boys scored 16 goals, conceding 20. The Spaniards scored 27, conceding 6.
in Europe
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In the Youth League, the music changes: Milan came first (with 12 points, 4 successes and 2 defeats) through a tough group, putting Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle and PSG behind them and reached the quarterfinals by beating Braga on penalties after 2 -2 of the regulations. Real Madrid also won their group, finishing ahead of Braga, Napoli and Union Berlin with 14 points (4 wins and 2 draws), subsequently eliminating Leipzig. The European path of Arbeloa’s team tells of a steamroller’s progress, with 16 goals scored and only one conceded at this point of the event. Same number of goals scored for the Devil, who however conceded 10.
abbot vs arbeloa
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Separate discussion on the technicians. Abate and Arbeloa’s journeys on the bench have been similar so far. The former Rossoneri captain took charge of the Primavera two years ago, after a year as Under 16 coach, achieving the prestigious goal of the Youth League final four in his first season. Arbeloa also leads the Juvenil A dei blancos from 2022, after two years as Under 14 coach. Their mentality on the bench is partly similar in their relationship with the young players. Abate had explained his approach in an interview a few months ago with Journal. “We believe that accelerating the stages of some talented boy, taking him out of the comfort zone and putting him to the test with difficulties, is an important factor. The greatest satisfaction would be to see one of my players land permanently in the first team, perhaps making his debut in San Siro”. Taking a look back at what we built last season, Arbeloa instead expressed himself in these terms to Madrid’s official channels: “One thing that differentiated us was the awareness that we weren’t playing just to win, but for something more. We were playing to become better footballers and to one day have the chance to play for Real’s first team.”
the stars
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On the pitch, Abate will hand over the keys to the attack tochild prodigy Francesco Camarda, born in 2008 and the youngest debutant in the history of Serie A (15 years and 260 days). Last Sunday, the AC Milan number 9 turned 16 and has already scored 3 goals in this edition of the Youth League. However, he is not the best AC Milan scorer in the cup, given that in front of him are the captain born in 2005 Kevin Zeroli and the winger born in 2006 Diego Sia (both on 4). Real’s European striker is also a midfielder, 2005 Hugo de Llanos, with 4 rings to his credit. Behind him, the right wing Gonzalo Garcia (2004, 3 goals) and the center forward Iker Bravo (2005, 3 goals).
jimenez, the great ex
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Chapter in itself for the great ex of the day. Alex Jimenez arrived at Milan in the summer, from Real Madrid, and his contractual situation holds up blancos in the background also for the future. The winger is on loan with the right to buy (set at 5 million) and Real has the possibility of exercising a counter-right, but only in 2025 or 2026. If Milan decided to buy him in the summer, he would become at least twelve months Rossonero in all respects. Last year he was divided between Arbeloa’s Juvenil A and Real Madrid Castilla, the B team coached by Raùl, with the two coaches who had often preferred his competitors for reasons of attitude. However, with Abate, the Spaniard is also improving from a tactical point of view and at the beginning of January he made his debut in the first team with Pioli, who praised him: “He is a prospect, he has great personality. Every now and then he exaggerates with the ball at his feet , but it’s nice to see such an enterprising boy. Young people must have the chance to make mistakes.” In the season he played 22 games, 5 of which in the first team, with 2 assists to his name. In a sold-out Puma House of Football (kick-off at 4pm and the match also visible on TV on Sky Sport, UEFA TV, Milan TV, Ac Milan App) many eyes will be on him. Between past and future, but above all present.
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