There were mixed emotions for under-19s coach Max Porter following Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat away to Inter Milan in the UEFA Youth League. While being disappointed with the goals we conceded, he was proud of our response and particularly how we began the second half, before being reduced to 10 men when Maldini Kacurri got a second yellow card.
“I’m really conflicted,” Max said after the game. “There are so many elements of our performance that were very, very good, however, Inter were a ruthless machine. What I mean by that is they had 11 shots and nine or 10 of them were on target. They make sure they work the keeper. I feel like we started the game too tentative. We told the boys that we respect every opponent but we don’t fear them, and I feel like we had a little bit of doubt in our play.
“Conceding early was tough but, after that, I felt like we responded. The second goal was really disappointing, getting caught out with a ball down the channel and then scoring against the keeper being out of position. That was really tough because I felt if we got into half-time after having that good response, we could’ve taken the game to them in the second half.
“I think we did that. We started incredibly, but we need to show that bravery when we’re losing from the start. I had a manager once who told me that it’s easy to show that bravery when you’ve got nothing to lose because you’re already losing, but actually to wrestle the momentum in the game and really take it to your opponent, that’s who we need to be as Arsenal and that’s what we’re trying to teach these players.
“In the events, the sending off was damaging. At 2-0, we felt we were in the game. We started the second half well but this is what this competition does. European football, different referees, different opponents and cultures - it all comes into play - but even then the players went until the end.
“We conceded two more goals however I think at that point they could have easily gone under their shells, but they didn’t. They went right to the end, which I’m proud of, but I leave here conflicted.”
Max made two changes at half time, bringing on Theo Julienne and Osman Kamara, and he was pleased with the effect both players had on the game.
“Osman got injured against PSG, at a point when we were hoping he was starting to show some really form in training. He’s only just got back so we knew today he had a maximum of 45 minutes to make an impact. I thought he was brilliant, he gave us a threat on the left with his ball carrying, dribbling and direct play. It’s good to see him score the goal.
“Theo came on and showed huge personality. We signed Theo when he was at under-13s and I remember thinking straight away that he has that personality to take the ball in tough situations and he did that today.
“We were very fluid in the second half trying to chase it and there was a lot of chaos, but I think those changes gave us a different impetus.
“In a nutshell, I’ve found the Youth League this year, on top of learnings last year, brilliant but brutal. Playing two Italian teams this year, they’ve been experts at conceding possession. Today we had 57 to 43 from what I’ve seen from the stats so they’re happy for you to have the ball but are ruthless when they get the chance to score, very good at defending their goal and we only had three shots on goal.
“For the amount of possession we’re having, we need to find better ways to convert that. It was similar against Shakhtar, who had burning desire to win the game with only one shot on goal that they scored from.
“There have been some real lessons for our boys, which is why we do it. It’s brilliant that there’s so much learning in terms of game management, momentum and travelling. Our first team travelling to play the game tonight, how do our players learn to prepare that way? How are you professional and make sure you give yourself the best chance to physically perform on the pitch as well as technically and tactically?”
Arsenal U19s Suffer Setback in Youth League
The match saw Arsenal U19s fall to their third defeat in four games in the UEFA Youth League. The Gunners' young squad faced a formidable Inter Milan side that dominated possession and clinically converted their opportunities.
Inter Milan's Dominance
Inter Milan started strong, taking the lead through Giacomo De Pieri in the 8th minute. The Nerazzurri continued to press, adding a second goal before halftime courtesy of Matteo Spinacce. The second half saw a red card for Maldini Kacurri, further hindering Arsenal's efforts to mount a comeback. Manuel Pinotti added a third for Inter, before Osman Kamara pulled one back for Arsenal. However, Matteo Lavelli sealed the victory for Inter with a late goal.
Lessons Learned
Despite the loss, Max Porter highlighted valuable lessons learned by the young Arsenal players. The encounter with Inter Milan provided a stark contrast in style and approach, emphasizing the need for tactical adaptation and composure in the face of adversity. The Youth League's intensity, coupled with the challenges of European football, serves as a crucial learning ground for the young Gunners.
Looking Ahead
With the defeat, Arsenal U19s find themselves facing an uphill battle in the UEFA Youth League. The team will look to regroup and bounce back in their next match against Sporting Lisbon on November 26th. The experience gained from this challenging campaign, despite the setbacks, will continue to shape the development of the young Arsenal players.
Squad Rotation and Injury Updates
The match against Inter Milan saw a few changes to the Arsenal U19 squad. Max Dowman and Jack Porter returned from international duty, while Osman Kamara made his return from injury. Theo Julienne also played a role in the second half. Tommy Setford, however, was not included in the squad and is expected to be part of the senior team's bench for the Champions League match against Inter Milan.
A Look at the U19s Squad
Here is the full provisional squad for the game against Inter Milan (via Arsenal Youth):
- Goalkeepers: Nygaard, Porter
- Defenders: Kacurri, Nichols, Rosiak, Clarke, Ismail, Sweet, Salmon
- Midfielders: Dudziak, Casey, Copley, Heaven, Julienne, Dowman
- Forwards: Ferdinand, Forde, Kabia, Kamara, Harriman-Annous
A Challenging Campaign Continues
The UEFA Youth League has proven to be a challenging experience for Arsenal's U19s this season. The team has faced some tough losses, but the valuable lessons and experience gained will undoubtedly contribute to the development of these young players as they navigate the pathway to the senior team. The team's performance in the upcoming match against Sporting Lisbon will provide further insight into their progress.
