Sacchi offers advice to Camarda after penalty miss: “Go ahead, don’t worry”

Francesco Camarda missed a penalty against Napoli on Tuesday night, and the AC Milan loanee was visibly upset after this.

It certainly is nothing new for Milan to see someone miss a penalty. So, it cannot be something that people criticise the youngster for, after all, stepping up for a penalty like that in those circumstances is a big responsibility.

At 17 years old, taking on that pressure is more than enough to show that he is developing into the man that the Rossoneri hope he will become. The result, whilst upsetting, is not the be-all and end-all. In other words, it will not define Camarda, like it hasn’t defined Christian Pulisic or Santiago Gimenez, for example.

Sacchi commends Camarda

Today, Arrigo Sacchi wrote a column for Gazzetta dello Sport and focused on the youngster and how he cannot be disappointed after his spot kick. His praise and advice have been relayed by Calciomercato.com.

“The image of Francesco Camarda, desperate on the bench, after missing the penalty and after Napoli took the lead through Anguissa, is proof that football is, yes, beauty, amazement, and joy, but it can also be, as in this case, disappointment, tears, and pain. Missing a penalty can never be a crime.

“Camarda is a talented young man, someone who can bring great satisfaction to the fans, and I don’t rule out the possibility that he could soon become a key figure in the national team. Why should we blame him? For the miss from the spot? Let’s not joke, please.

“First and foremost, a young person has the right and duty to make mistakes. If you want to grow, if you want to improve, if you want to achieve great results, you have to endure disappointments. It’s the difficult moments that strengthen you, not victories or affection.

“These moments of pain are necessary to shape a young man’s character: I know Camarda would have gladly done without them, I imagine, but I’m convinced that he will emerge from this experience even more mature and more self-aware.

“I fully understand Camarda’s disappointment, therefore, but I tell him he mustn’t get discouraged and, above all, he mustn’t listen to rumours, comments, gossip, or any controversies.

“He should continue on his path, following his coach’s advice, and not care who uses the penalty miss as an excuse to vent his anger. He absolutely must ignore what’s being said; it’s the only way to get through this difficult moment.

“Well, I hope no one will dare ask Camarda not to take another penalty. That would be an unforgivable mistake. I believe that, in a situation like this, we should do exactly the opposite. That is, at the next penalty, we should hand the ball to Camarda and tell him: “Go ahead, don’t worry. And if you miss again, there’s no problem…”

“I hope such a treasure is protected from criticism and supported in moments of weakness.”