Vicenza Coach Stefano Vecchi: “Inter Milan Wingback Federico Dimarco Risked Losing His Way In Academy, But Showed Strong Determination” | OneFootball

Former Inter Milan Primavera coach Stefano Vecchi has revealed that current Nerazzurri star Federico Dimarco could have fallen into the wilderness before establishing himself in the first team.

Dimarco came through the ranks of Inter’s academy under current Vicenza coach Vecchi before leaving the club to join Swiss club Sion in 2017, and returning a year later. However, it was an impressive loan spell with Hellas Verona that convinced Inter to establish him in the first team.

In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of Tuttosport, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Vecchi suggested that Dimarco had let criticism affect him and his game, but was impressed with the wingback’s resilience since then.

“He always had talent, but Dimarco also risked getting lost,” Vecchi said.

“When you start to play and you are always being questioned, it is not easy, you take risks.

“Federico was very determined, it is another of his great qualities. He doesn’t give up, he is persistent, and does not let himself be overwhelmed by difficulties. The confidence in his abilities helped him become a world-class footballer.”

Amidst talk of Inter setting up a B team to compete in the lower leagues of the Italian game, Vecchi argued that it would allow the Nerazzurri to develop their own players without having to rely on the loan system, and offer each young talent the necessary attention.

“The experience of those who have already done it says it is a good idea.

“Juventus have done an important job in this period, many of the boys from the second team have made their mark in the first team or elsewhere.

“Atalanta are bringing players through, AC Milan have just started and Francesco Camarda has already played in Serie A,” he continued.

“In general it is an additional step, which is useful to keep an eye on boys who, if you send them to play in other places in Serie B or Lega Pro, would not receive the same attention.”

Vecchi felt that such a step may have benefitted some of the players he coached in Inter’s academy.

“It would help youngsters progress, but also to not get lost. Some immediately entered important stages of the club, like Andrea Pinamonti, Ionut Radu and Federico Bonazzoli.

“Others had to follow more tortuous paths, like Dimarco, who struggled in the first few years playing in Serie B and abroad.

“Michele Di Gregorio had to play in Lega Pro and is now at Juventus. Others still found difficulties in the depths of Lega Pro, without overcoming them. If there had been a second team, they would perhaps have undertaken a different career.”

Dimarco has been the Nerazzurri academy’s biggest success story of recent years, with the Italy international representing Inter’s first team on 151 occasions, scoring 15 goals.