3 weeks ago
26
AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has taken eight young players on tour to the Far East, and they are hoping to leave an impression.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, in the 2024 preseason it was Lorenzo Torriano, Mattia Liberali and Alex Jimenez who stole the show in the United States. Who could it be this year in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia? They go through each name.
Davide Bartesaghi
If this were a competition of who gets the most minutes in the three games against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Perth Glory then Bartesaghi would be the favorite. This season, he’ll be Estupinan’s back-up on the left and the current situation means he will probably play every preseason game.
Bartesaghi is a defensive full-back, having also played centre-back for Milan Futuro last season, and knows what to do with the ball. In February, he played barely half an hour in the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Feyenoord, but is one of two players guaranteed to stay in the squad for the season.
Christian Comotto
The potential surprise is Comotto, born in 2008 like Francesco Camarda and who has caught Allegri’s eye. Perhaps it’s because the coach too was a midfielder with technique and vision, perhaps it’s because at 17 he is regarded as one of the best young talents in Italy.
Allegri is using Comotto as a regista, perhaps as Samuele Ricci’s deputy, and he even gave him minutes in the second half against Arsenal before he scored the winning penalty. His fate, upon his return to Italy, is sealed: Milan have a verabl agreement with Spezia for a loan.
Lorenzo Torriani
Torriani ended up playing against Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona one year ago. He made his Champions League debut at San Siro against Liverpool, right among the special memories of his life.
He played less than expected with Milan Futuro but is picking up where he left off: as the third choice, with Pietro Terracciano replacing Marco Sportiello as Maignan’s deputy. Milan’s plan is to keep him at least until January, then we’ll see. Torriani hasn’t played much in recent years, and at 20 he needs minutes, but he shone against the Gunners.
Mattia Liberali
Welcome to the paradoxical world of Mattia Liberali, a European U17 champion with Italy, a starter a year ago with Fonseca’s Milan, then demoted to Milan Futuro, and from there – without even starting – back to starting in the Primavera.
A year later, he will leave for the tour with the senior side again. Mattia’s contract with the Diavolo expires in a year, and the hope is that a renewal proposal will arrive soon. A loan deal to be signed upon return from the tour is possible, and in Serie A preferably.
Vittorio Magni
Magni is the guy who works hard runs fast on the wing, like Raoul Bellanova. He’s a full-back, and that instantly means that he is a contender to get decent minutes versus Arsenal, Liverpool, and Perth Glory given the lack of right-backs.
The prediction, for him too, is a farewell upon his return to Italy. Milan will keep control but will probably send him out to play. In Serie B, perhaps.
Matteo Dutu
In the last training session before Milan-Arsenal, another Matteo played next to Matteo Gabbia: Matteo Duțu, born in Rome but in recent years playing for Romania’s youth team, as he was originally from. Duțu is a physical, tall (1.92m) centre-back who is aggressive when needed.
Milan signed him a year ago from Lazio and played him in the Primavera. With Milan Futuro, nothing, just a few call-ups. For him, too, a loan deal is in the cards: he needs to play, and with Milan he could only do so in Serie D. Carrarese and Casertana are candidates.
English (US) ·