AC Milan vs Lecce: Give Camarda and Comotto a Chance Before It Is Too Late

Camarda still has not played a single official minute in Serie A this season. Matteo Comotto has not either. These are two names AC Milan use to promote the depth of their academy, but both are sitting on the bench like special spectators. I am not expecting a revolution, but I am expecting a clear message. This weekend, when Lecce arrive at San Siro, AC Milan have every condition to send that message. The problem is whether they will actually do it. The match context is not complicated. AC Milan are competing in Serie A, where every win matters. The head coach needs immediate results, so the selection priority follows experience. Goncalo Ramos is currently the first-choice striker, while Camarda is only seen as a backup option. In midfield, Luka Modric and Ardon Jashari occupy the starting spots, leaving Comotto with little room. Looking at the schedule, the match against Lecce at San Siro is considered the best window to give young players a chance. I understand the caution. A big club cannot experiment too much when the league title is still possible. But the question is not whether Camarda is better than Ramos. The question is whether AC Milan are brave enough to replace Ramos in the 60th minute when the score is already 2-0. Data brings me to the stadium gate, my eyes take me into the dressing room. From the Milan dressing room, I have heard promises about a youth project. I have heard similar promises elsewhere without seeing action. Lecce tend to drop deep and allow opponents to control possession when playing away from home. Milan are likely to have more of the ball. When you control possession around the opponent's box, space appears between the defensive and midfield lines. Camarda can move inside the box and finish with his left foot, while Comotto has the technique to circulate the ball in tight spaces. They do not have to start, but if they do not get a single minute in this context, then Milan's plan for developing young talents is being seriously questioned. The match will be decided where the fans do not look. The fans will look at goals from Leao or Pulisic, but I look at the bench. At the start of the second half, if Camarda and Comotto are told to warm up, that is a sign Milan do not treat them only as future assets. If they stay seated while the team is safely ahead, then the youth project is only a slogan. I could be wrong. My assumption depends on Milan scoring early or maintaining a dominant game. If Lecce score first, everything changes. The Milan coach will not risk sending two young players onto the pitch when his team is losing. That is when the brand of promoting youth gives way to safety. I understand that. Christian Pulisic also has a fitness issue, but that is not tactical. The real question is whether Milan's attack can function without the American playmaker, and whether they are bold enough to use a younger substitute to fill that gap. People laughed at me for three months, but laughter never scores goals. This weekend, watch the technical area. If Camarda and Comotto start warming up around the 55th minute while Milan are leading 2-0, you will know the future is not just words. That is the moment AC Milan prove that rough diamonds truly have value. Do not look only at the price tag, look at the team after the players leave. Camarda and Comotto are still there, and they deserve to be seen on the pitch.