Former Milan midfielder holds trial session at Balzan Youths Nursery

Former AC Milan player and current Head Coach of the AC Milan Academy in Sydney, Andrea Icardi, conducted the second trial session for twenty-four boys at the Balzan Youths FC training facilities.

Icardi spent three days in Malta after leading three AC Milan teams from Sydney in Easter International Tournaments in Italy. For these tournaments, Maltese fifteen year old player Sean Cipriott and Balzan Youths Head Coach Silvan Ciscaldi joined the Australian contingent.

Sean Cipriott played for the AC Milan Academy 1996 team in three friendly games and five tournament matches. Sean had the opportunity to play against Napoli, Siena, Verona and Zenit St. Petersburg amongst others.

It was a great experience for him to play at such a high level. Sean did well and Andrea Icardi had words of praise for this young Maltese player.

Silvan Ciscaldi was part of the coaching staff of the AC Milan Academy. He worked alongside a number of AC Milan coaches including Icardi himself. Ciscaldi worked closely with the 2000 team from Sydney. It was a unique experience for him to see and play against teams such as Juventus, Inter, Lazio, Udinese and Fiorentina.

These connections between Balzan Youths Nursery and AC Milan Academy Sydney could only be possible due to the continuous support of IML Director Anton Tagliaferro who is willing to keep strenghtening the Balzan Nursery coaching staff by engaging a foreign professional coach to assist at Balzan and to prepare promising players to go on trials in Italy

Meanwhile during the session held on Sunday 15th April at the Balzan Youths facilities, Icardi carried out a technique session from which he could identify the ability of the players present. He was satisfied with the level of the boys and some in particular really impressed. Out of these twenty-four boys, one or two will be chosen for a trial in Italy with a Serie B club in December.

Andrea said “The enthusiasm for football is great to see in Malta. Many boys that came look very promising although it is clear that the level of technique needs to be improved – I believe that if Balzan engage the right professional coaches for the nursery this can be achieved. I am helping Balzan to look for the right professional youth coach through my connections in Italy for next season. I am looking forward to continue to work with Balzan, Silvan and Anton in developing young players.”