New AC Milan Primavera coach Cristian Brocchi spoke about his goals for the Primavera team this season and gave his thoughts on the senior team as well.
The former Milan, Inter, and Lazio midfielder had three stints with Milan, including playing for the side he now coaches as a youngster before being promoted to the senior side.
“[The Primavera team] are working very well,” Brocchi told the Milan Channel. “We have a lot of guys and we are doing work in organization. There is great commitment from every one of the players.
“Two years can make all the difference in the development of young footballers. When you are 15-16 years old you may think that you are already great, when in fact maybe you’re not yet. When you start to become 17-18 years old, things begin to change; you begin to mature. You realize you might be closer to professional football and so the approach to football is different.
“For many players, this year may be the time of redemption, after failing to reach the final eight last year. The group are taking it well, they have a lot of desire to improve. Many of them are still bitter about how the season ended, but all this should be an incentive to do better.
“Last year was a different season with many commitments. The mistakes were due to that. This year, with a little more recovery time, we can play better football at the highest level.
“My coaching is based on a precise philosophy: I want the team to go down on the field with the knowledge to dominate and control the game. The aim must be to win, but through a precise style of play.
“If I had to have a slogan for my coaching? It would be ‘Philosophy and Fun!’
“Teams that want too many players do not care about the growth of the Italian youth movement,” Brocchi continued in regards to the bloated squads of many teams. “They use this route to get results, but I believe that youth sectors are worth more than getting the result, as it serves to produce players able to compete in our league.
“In Italy, we no longer are what we once were economically, so we must educate and train the young so that they can be part of the revitalization of Italian football.
He then shared his thoughts on the first team.
“The guys who are in the first team are also doing well under the guidance of [new coach Filippo] Inzaghi. I met Inzaghi before the American Tour and I can say that I noticed that he was returning the passion to Milanello that has been missing for a while.
“The losses to Olimpiacos and Manchester City? It is normal and you can’t expect that in 15-20 days the team starts to win, the team begins to put on display of sparkling football, without bonding first. When you have a difficult season and need to start again you need some time to work and instill in the heads of players your ideas and your wishes.
“Inzaghi is well supported by Milan’s staff and fans. Right now, although I understand that it is difficult to ask this from the fans, we need to have patience. I believe that Milan can have a good season and with ‘Pippo’s’ familiarity with Milan, I think it can be a bonus in terms of the ‘Milan family’ and that could bring some satisfaction this season.
Lastly, Brocchi concluded with his goals for his Primavera team.
“I found a group of guys who showed eagerness to start the season. They are all very polite, respectful and came with the right attitude. Some of them ended last season with a bad taste in their mouths, but our desire is to start over and do a great job for a great season.
“The most important thing is to create within the Primavera what Mr. Inzaghi is trying to recreate in the first team – the DNA of Milan and spirit of family in addition to being aware of the importance of the team and the values that have composed the history of this club.
“Victory is in Milan’s DNA. The will to win and fight must be the basis of every single workout. We will try to field our philosophy and when the children internalize our concepts it will be nicer to see them play with the same passion. In retirement we know what it means to be at Milan and we will try to establish a relationship with the players that will give us added value this season.
“As for the boys promoted to the first team, they are doing very well, as they have the added benefit of already knowing Inzaghi.”
