Mauro Bianchessinow responsible for Monza’s youth sector after having been Milan’s for many years, gave an interview to the Rossoneri-tinged portal MilanNews.itfocusing on the young striker Francesco Camarda, fresh from his debut (with a goal disallowed) in the Champions League: “On Tuesday when he came on I was excited, I saw the child I had signed for Milan reach a further goal that many other older players dream of “It’s a shame about the goal, but don’t worry, it’s just postponed because goals are in his blood and sometimes I wonder if he’s the one looking for the goals or the goals are looking for him.”
Is it true that he intervened to make him play in attack? And that in the Pulcini they had put him on defense?
“After bringing him to Milan and being convinced that he had great talent, I went in person to see his progress at Vismara and I found him acting as a defender. I think my shouts directed at the coach were heard all the way in Piazza Duomo and from then he became forever, the number 9, the Milan striker.”
Other anecdotes about Francesco?
“Francesco’s fortune, in addition to his talent, is his family. His parents have always supported and protected him without ever creating anxiety or expectations. They are fantastic and have part of the credit for where Francesco has reached today.”
What struck you about Francesco during the period in which he was racing ahead in the youth team? And what currently strikes you about him?
“He has always been obsessive both on and off the pitch in how he trains, as well as scoring in every way. Obsessive in his diet and has no crickets in his head: he only thinks about football. In short, he has the right mentality of champion. Well done Furlani for having given him the contract which, believe me, was not a simple or obvious thing.”
Many hopes are placed in him also because the figure of the great center forward has been missing in Italy for some time. Why is it so difficult to produce a “number 9” in our football?
“We need to open a debate on this issue. We need to teach less tactics in the youth sectors and more technique. We need to let the attackers dribble and not cage them. Camarda has talent that needs to be nurtured and protected otherwise we risk burning him.”
The debut in Serie A and in the Champions League has arrived, the expectations are many and will always be more. In short, the hard part is yet to come. What advice do you feel you can give him?
“What he has done matters little, what matters is what he has yet to achieve because the expectations on him are high. The advice is to remain humble without getting excited by the compliments and without getting discouraged by the criticism that will arrive sooner or later. Francesco Camarda must remain” .