Abate beaming with pride after reaching play-offs with ‘unique’ Milan Primavera | OneFootball

Thanks to their 3-3 draw against Torino earlier today, AC Milan Primavera secured their spot in the final phase of the league, also known as the play-offs. After the game, head coach Ignazio Abate expressed his pride and praised the team.

Abate’s boys managed to take the lead early in the second half and followed that up with two quick goals, thus three goals to the good. It ended up being dramatic, though, as Torino fought their way back and scored the equaliser late in injury time.

Il Toro needed a win to leapfrog the Rossoneri, so the latter thus secured their spot in the final phase of the league. Speaking to MilanTV after the game, as cited by MilanNews, Abate shared his thoughts on the achievement of reaching the play-offs.

“Words are not enough. I coach a group of guys with a huge heart. We are very united, they played a great game today on a difficult pitch. We are proud to have reached the play-offs with the youngest team in the league together with Juventus.

“We knew we didn’t want to take any risks in the first half, then we accelerated and made a sensational start to the second half. In the end, we were able to defend with our hearts. They are more ready and experienced, but we qualified and we are proud.

“It’s a fantastic group. Today I have to thank the defenders above all, especially the two centre-backs who played a great match. Simic didn’t come from a brilliant moment, we even discussed it, but he is a great person and he played a great game. I want to thank him publicly.

“We have a reduced squad, we have several injured players, we have lost important people like Victor, Cuenca and Jimenez. Raveyre has been playing with a knee problem for some time, but he always wants to be there. Cuenca came on the bench even though he was unwell, as was Stalmach.

“Today, fortunately, we recovered Jimenez. It’s not easy, now Sala, Liberali and Camarda will leave us for the U17 Euros with Italy. We have many players who were born in 2007 on the bench, but we remained standing with pride and also quality.

“The final phase comes at a time when energy is low. The technical-tactical aspect takes second place, we need to recover our mental energy. We need to regain our strength and take our chances. We are the youngest, we will have to play carefree.

“The other teams are more physically structured, it won’t be easy, but we are standing, we have done something unique,” he stated.

Lazio are up next in the first round of the play-offs, with a spot in the semi-final on the line. As Abate highlighted, the key players Emanuele Sala, Mattia Liberali and Francesco Camarda will not be available due to the U17 Euros.