AC Milan Primavera head coach Ignazio Abate has admitted that his side met a strong opponent during their draw against Roma, while he also spoke more specifically about a couple of players.
Roma came into the game as the second-placed side in the Primavera 1 behind leaders Inter, but a win for Milan would have seen them leapfrog the side from the capital given the two-point gap in the standings.
Abate spoke to reporters after the home draw against Roma at the PUMA House of Football, with his comments relayed by MilanNews, and he began by assessing what was a difficult game for his side.
“We met a strong team fighting for the title. In the first half they had more of the ball, but we had the opportunities,” he said.
“In the second half we had more of the ball, it was a dirty game , the teams showed great intensity. We had to accelerate in some situations, we were too sufficient on some occasions. The result was right in the end.”
Abate was asked about the possibility of Davide Bartesaghi leaving Milan on loan given that there are a number of clubs who have been linked but it would mean he loses one of his most dependable starters.
“It’s the club that makes certain assessments. He hadn’t played for a while, today we saw a different Bartesaghi compared to Bergamo. I liked him a lot.
“There are several guys who have moved up to the first team , now we have to do well to recreate a new team spirit and bring in new, even younger players.
“I really liked how Camarda and Sala played after coming on today, they entered with the right attitude, determination and quality. I’m happy with this group it will take some time to express ourselves at our best.
“We have lost the backbone of the team, now we need new mechanisms and the right chemistry to be recreated in the team. In Bergamo it was the worst match of our season, today I saw the spirit I had asked for during the week.”
Hugo Cuenca has impressed for the Primavera this season and he has been given the opportunity to train with the first team with a view to a potential senior debut. Abate shared his thoughts on the Paraguayan talent, who started today.
“Due to the qualities he has, he can be both an attacking midfielder and play wide on the right. At the moment perhaps he does better on the right, not because he can’t play in the middle, but because he has to improve a lot in terms of playing times and the position of the body when he receives the ball.
“Cuenca has important qualities, I hope he will give us a great hand and that he will be able to go to the first team.”
Le parole di mister Abate sul futuro di #Bartesaghi e sull'ingresso in campo di #Camarda al termine dei big match contro la Roma finito 0-0 🗣️🔴⚫
(🎥 @Gepponz) pic.twitter.com/D8nKApm5cb
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) January 27, 2024
