Legendary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi has voiced his strong support for AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca’s decision to hand 16-year-old Francesco Camarda his first start against Cagliari. Sacchi praises Fonseca’s courage and willingness to take risks, viewing it as a positive step for innovation and progress in football.
Sacchi emphasised that “courage drives innovation,” believing that courageous coaches like Fonseca bring more knowledge to their teams and enhance the spectacle of football. While he admited he doesn’t know Camarda well, he trusts Fonseca’s judgment in deeming the young striker ready to play, stating, “If Fonseca thinks he is ready, it means he has quality.”
Acknowledging the potential backlash if things don’t go well, Sacchi insisted that Fonseca is right to give Camarda a chance, regardless of the outcome. “Starting a talented youngster shows faith in the club’s future and demonstrates Fonseca’s control over the squad,” he explains. He highlighted how Fonseca has already proven his willingness to make tough decisions by benching established stars like Rafael Leão.
Sacchi underscored the importance of the club backing Fonseca’s decision, drawing parallels to his own experience with Silvio Berlusconi at Milan. He recalled how Berlusconi showed extraordinary courage by choosing him, a relatively unknown figure, to build a successful team. “That brief speech gave me incredible strength: in the eyes of the players, I was the man of the present and future,” Sacchi reflected.
Moreover, he views Camarda’s inclusion as a sign of progress in Italian football, moving away from fear-based tactics towards a more courageous approach. “For too long, Italian football has been a slave to fear and cunning,” he lamented. “Now we see improvements; teams are going away to ‘play’ their game and fighting on equal terms with opponents.”
Finally, Sacchi urged fans and media to give Fonseca time to build something significant at Milan and not to judge Camarda too harshly if he makes mistakes. “The inclusion of Camarda is a step towards renewal and progress,” he asserted. “Let’s observe him with interest without picking up our rifles if he happens to miss a shot or a dribble.”
