Francesco Camarda will lead AC Milan’s attack against RB Salzburg this evening, and a long while has passed since the last time he did so.

As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) write this morning, one hundred weeks after the game against Cagliari in Sardinia on 9 November 2024, Camarda will return to the starting line-up for Milan. Ruben Amorim will rely on the teenager not as a novelty or a surprise move, either.

The coach will put his faith in Camarda because he considers him the first real alternative to Gonçalo Ramos. With the Portuguese player in need of a rest, the Italian’s moment finally arrives against Salzburg. Now it’s up to the youngster to show what he can do.

A chance at last

Camarda’s season so far has been very unremarkable. The 18-year-old has only played eight minutes overall, split between two very brief cameos against Lazio and Lecce, meaning he has mostly been a spectator.

His playing time has also been limited in the previous two seasons: 23 appearances and 787 minutes for Lecce, partly affected by a lengthy shoulder injury, and just 234 minutes overall in 14 appearances for Milan the year before.

His experience and rhythm, therefore, cannot be those of a seasoned striker. Yet, precisely for this reason, Salzburg could become an important step. It’s not yet a definitive test, but it’s certainly the first real opportunity to turn that confidence from the coach and the club into positive signs.

Camarda will also pursue his first competitive goal for his boyhood club. In Salzburg – the city of Mozart – the Rossoneri are hoping their young prodigy will find the right tone. Supporting him will be Alphadjo Cisse, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Omari Hutchinson in a heavily-rotated side.