Who is Liberali and why Milan talent starts against Genoa for Serie A debut | OneFootball

Attacking midfielder Mattia Liberali will start for Milan against Genoa: here’s what you need to know about the promising 17-year-old.

Italian talent Liberali will make his Serie A debut in Milan’s home game against Genoa on Monday night.

The 17-year-old is already a familiar face to Rossoneri fans as he took part in a pre-season friendly tournament in the USA, playing against Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Who is Milan talent Liberali and why he starts against Genoa for Serie A debut

Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s injuries forced Fonseca to select Liberali from the Milan Futuro team for today’s home fixture. The Portuguese coach also wants to send a strong signal to the rest of the team after criticising some players’ attitudes after Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Crvena Zvezda.

Fonseca said he’d have “no problems” in starting Primavera or Milan Futuro players, and he’s kept his word.

Liberali will make his Serie A debut against Genoa after scoring three goals and providing one assist in 18 appearances across all competitions with Milan’s youth teams this term.

Liberali has seven appearances in Serie C and two in Coppa Italia Serie C, where he also scored a goal.

Furthermore, he netted once and provided an assist in three Campionato Primavera games and scored one goal in six Youth League appearances.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Mattia Liberali of Italy U17 in action during the International friendly match between Italy U17 and France U17 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on February 13, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fonseca already praised the promising Italian talent during a press conference in October.

“I think Milan created a good space with Milan Futuro because this transition is not easy, especially here in Italy. Milan Futuro was created to help these players grow,” said the Rossoneri boss.

“Liberali played the pre-season against Real Madrid and Barcelona. To me, it was clear that Liberali has a great future. If he continues working with humility, he can become an important player. When? I don’t know. I know he’s been working with us and is a quality player, but he must continue on his trajectory and grow. He needs the right time.”

Liberali was born in Lissone, Milan, on April 6, 2007, is a left-footed attacking midfielder who has also been deployed on the right or left wing.

A product of the Rossoneri academy, which he joined when he was just eight years old, Liberali was part of the Italy U17 squad that won the Euros last summer, beating Portugal in the Final.

Liberali scored two goals in six appearances during last summer’s U17 Euros, including one against England in the quarter-finals.

He has already scored twice in six appearances with Italy U19. This evening, he will achieve another career milestone.