Camarda set to start against Cagliari, Fonseca: “I have total faith in him, for me players don’t have an age – they have quality and he shows that” | OneFootball

Francesco Camarda during training at Milanello. (@acmilan.com)

Francesco Camarda will get his first start for Milan tomorrow, coach Paulo Fonseca has confirmed.

With Álvaro Morata unavailable due to a head injury following a training session collision with Strahinja Pavlović, many expected Tammy Abraham to take the starting role against Cagliari tomorrow evening (18:00 CET kickoff).

However, coach Paulo Fonseca surprised everyone in the pre-match press conference on Friday when he announced that in fact it will be Francesco Camarda who will be playing from the start.

Will Abraham play tomorrow?“I can tell you right now because you’ll find out in half an hour anyway [laughs]. Camarda will play tomorrow.”

Is Jovic still part of the project?“He’s in the project. The problem is he’s not physically well. He has a persistent issue. He’s been training with pain, and today we tried, but he felt the same intense pain, which limits him. He won’t be with us.”

Why Camarda? Is he excited? Can you explain the choice? How did he take it?“For me, it’s not surprising. He trains with us every day. Everyone at the club has great faith in him; he works well and understands his role. For me, players don’t have an age; they have quality, and he shows that every day. Morata has a very specific role right now. Morata isn’t always a forward, but often a player who unlocks passing lanes. I think Camarda is more suited for this role than Abraham at the moment. Abraham isn’t completely fit but is improving. I have total faith in Camarda. He’s been training well. He’s young, but he has great maturity. He’s brave, and he works hard for the team defensively. Yesterday, with Morata’s issue, I didn’t hesitate on who should play tomorrow.”

Paulo Fonseca during training at Milanello. (@acmilan.com)

At 16 years, 7 months and 30 days, Camarda will become the second youngest Milan starter in history, “beaten” only by Giuseppe Sacchi who made his debut at 16 years, 7 months and 17 days on on October 25, 1942. With this starting debut, the young Italian striker surpasses Gianluigi Donnarumma by one day.

Probable XI (Sky): Mike Maignan; Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlović, Theo Hernández; Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders; Samuel Chukwueze, Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leão; Francesco Camarda.