The Women’s Under 17 finished their seasonal run on the doorstep of the Final-4: after having won their league group with a full haul and after taking runners-up honours in the Interregional Phase, the Black-and-blues only went down swinging in the quarterfinals against Juventus. It is now time for coach Michele Frigerio to fill in the final report:

“I can’t help but express positive feedback on the season: despite our bumpy start being a brand-new team and the adjustment period from the 9-a-side schemes to the 11-a-side mindset taking up the first two months, I have to thank my lasses’ readiness, their spirit of sacrifice and their dedication in training since they all made this transition almost seamless”.

“We eventually made it to the Final Phase – as coach Frigerio cares to enlarge on his report – despite all the highs and lows. After winning the first seven matches in a row, almost out of the blue came both our first setback against Hellas Verona and, foremost, our second defeat against Tavagnacco after a rather nonsensical game – had we not lost it we would probably not have been runners-up of the group and we could have dodged Juventus in the quarter-finals. While in the first leg, with both sides lining up a full U17 roster, we did a spotless performance and clinched a 3-2 win, the 2nd leg in Turin saw our opponents completely overhaul their roster and line up eight Primavera players: despite the premises, not only did we hold our ground, but we also took an early lead seven minutes into the game. It goes without saying that the difference between players from two entirely different divisions eventually took its toll. Nonetheless, I’m fully supportive of our lasses: not only do I have nothing to reproach them for but I’d rather thank them all for this year full of so many satisfactions”.

“For me, the most rewarding aspect has been seeing how your players put your idea of football into action and how everything you’ve been working for during the whole season eventually takes shape. Seeing them striving and pushing to put the schemes and tactics previously taught in training to the field test all by themselves, is a great source of pride and joy for every coach”.