Abate hoping for ‘icing on the cake’ against Torino after ‘amazing’ season

AC Milan Primavera boss Ignazio Abate believes that it has been a ‘positive season’ for his side given their run in Europe and the fact they can still reach the play-offs in the league.

The Primavera came from behind against Frosinone to secure a crucial 2-1 victory in Sunday afternoon’s game at the PUMA House of Football, and it sets up a win-and-in game against Torino next week.

Abate gave an interview to Milan TV at the end of the match won and he offered a reflection not only on the game itself but also on the 2023-24 campaign as a whole and the work done by the squad.

“We obtained an important result today. It was important for the standings. We started by going behind after a few minutes due to a slight issue, then the games got complicated. It wasn’t simple , because they too were playing for survival,” he said.

“The boys were patient. In the first half we did quite well with the ball, then the pace dropped a bit. Fortunately we got it back on track in the first half. Then in the second half it was a good but strange game, there was tiredness on both sides. We were good at being patient, not losing our heads. Then we found the winning move. I’m happy for the boys.

“After 9-10 years we’re back fighting for an important goal like the play-offs, I’m proud of them . Getting to the last day and playing for access to the play-off is important for the growth of these guys. This is demonstrated by the path of these two years: we went from fighting for survival to fighting for the play-offs.

“We surpassed ourselves in the Youth League, we improved the points total, the goals scored… now we go to Turin carefree: it would be the icing on the cake. Otherwise I will still congratulate my boys because they have been amazing this year. I ask for the last 4-5 days of sacrifice, then we will sum up the season and I am really happy with them.”

One thing that is worth remembering is that the next game could be the last for Abate as the Primavera boss given that his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The former right-back is an ambitious professional who is reflecting on the opportunity to take the next step. The management’s priority is to meet Abate very soon and evaluate together whether the conditions exist to move forward and in what manner.