MILAN – This is what youth team coach Cristian Brocchi had to say after his players qualified for the final-8 earlier today after a 4-1 victory over Virtus Lanciano. Click here for the match report.

“I am delighted for the lads because they deserved it. More than qualifying for the final-8, I am happy with how we qualified, because right from the first matches we have played good football. To have qualified with 3 matches in hand is a source of pride for everyone. We prepared for this season by focusing on trying to play with a certain philosophy and not exclusively on the league, and we will continue on this path hoping to build on our ideas and concepts. The type of football that we want to play is an attacking and purposeful one, and at times it annoys us slightly that people say we always concede in the same manner, as we’re the youth sector and we have to teach our players to also take risks when they play. We have played in a very attacking manner and the qualification to the final-8 shows that the Milan Model, which the entire youth sector is following, is producing some excellent results. I’ve congratulated the players, they dedicated a chant to me and the coaching staff, which made me very happy! This group is exceptional.”