Tonight, at 2:30 AM Italian time, Milan’s youth team will face the real Real Madrid, complete with Carlo Ancelotti on the bench and Luka Modric in midfield. This matchup carries significant weight for Milan’s emerging talent, as Ancelotti himself dubbed it the “Kids’ Game.” The match takes place in Chicago, coinciding with the iconic Lollapalooza festival featuring Blink-182 and a crowd of young music lovers.
So, who are the young stars from Milan taking the spotlight?
Mattia Liberali is expected to start the match, having been prepared for the challenge alongside teammates like Samuel Chukwueze, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Marco Nasti. Liberali, born in 2007, has been with Milan for nearly a decade, clinching the Under-17 European Championship alongside Francesco Camarda. Described as a creative force, he never shies away from trying bold plays, although he may need to work on his athleticism and pace to truly shine as a central number 10. His rise has caught the attention of coach Paulo Fonseca, who seems to see potential in him.
Francesco Camarda, despite arriving in the U.S. just two days ago, is also traveling with the team to Chicago. Fonseca may offer him a short stint in the match later on. Recently, Ancelotti praised Camarda, hinting at his promising future, which seems to have already captured the interest of the team’s management. Next season, he is set to join Milan’s future plans while keeping an eye on the first team.
Marco Nasti, born in 2003, is another player to keep an eye on. He recently gained recognition after scoring a crucial goal against Manchester City. Should he start, he may have the chance to face veteran defender Antonio Rudiger, making for an exciting test. Despite a successful season with seven goals in Serie B for Bari, he is considering offers from Venice and Verona, looking to gain more playing time rather than sitting on the bench with Milan.
Then there’s Lorenzo, who has made a remarkable leap from being the third-choice goalkeeper for the Primavera team to potentially starting for the first team. While Mike Maignan will soon be back, Lorenzo’s impressive performances have caught Fonseca’s attention, and he might become the third-choice goalkeeper moving forward. Tonight, he’ll be aiming to keep a clean sheet against the formidable Real Madrid, a challenge much different from where he stood just a couple of months ago.
As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti is likely to start with young talents Endrick and Arda Güler, showcasing the club’s commitment to youth. Endrick, whose father almost named him after the legendary Di Stefano, has made waves at just 17, while Güler, already dubbed the “Prince of Turkey,” has drawn comparisons to Mesut Ozil. Both youngsters are set to play alongside stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the near future, adding to the narrative of young talent in modern football.
Overall, this match not only serves as an exciting opportunity for Milan’s youth stars, but it also highlights the contrasting paths of burgeoning talents in football today.