The seventeen-year-old, owned by the Rossoneri club (on loan to Lecce), has received support on social media from his former teammates and aims to make tonight`s match an unforgettable one.
An Emotional Encounter
When he finds himself lined up against them in midfield, Francesco Camarda will surely feel a strange sensation. He will recognize familiar faces and exchange glances with friends. Friday evening`s match promises to be an emotional journey for him: AC Milan represents family, home, and his future – a blend of past experiences and aspirations. Meanwhile, Lecce is an undeniably crucial step in his development and growth. Here, he will have the opportunity to play consistently and accumulate valuable experience while contributing to the team`s fight for survival. Having a coach like Di Francesco, known for his excellent work with young players, will only be beneficial. On Friday, even just seeing his former teammates during warm-ups will undoubtedly bring to Francesco`s mind the roar of San Siro on his debut day, the disallowed goal against Bruges, and the proud eyes of his father Manuel and mother Federica in the stands. They will be there again tonight. Throughout his year with the Rossoneri, he collected numerous memories that cling to him like tattoos. And who knows, his first Serie A goal might just come against his beloved Milan, free from assistant referees breaking dreams and stifling cries of joy. Sometimes, as we know, fate can be quite ironic.
The Eve of the Match
The understanding that this will be no ordinary match is clear to him and his family, who remain as supportive as ever. Both his mother and father will be at the Via del Mare stadium on Friday evening, accompanied by cousins and uncles. It`s a truly special occasion. A certain tension in the air is expected, yet those who know him and have watched him train recently assure that he is highly focused and determined. Picture those American comedies where a 60-year-old protagonist suddenly finds himself living in a teenager`s body. Well, the way Francesco`s impact in Salento is described makes it seem as though he`s embodying an adult`s prowess. In reality, he is still only 17 and will naturally feel a touch emotional finding himself at the heart of the attack, facing his former teammates. It would be quite peculiar to score against Milan, surely without celebrating. This scenario is paradoxical, considering we are discussing a potential first-ever Serie A goal.
Social Media Buzz and Gimenez
Many fans have reached out to him on social media in recent days, with messages like, “Score and show the management that you are our number 9,” and similar sentiments. Rossoneri supporters also see Camarda as the striker of the future, but patience is essential, and he must be allowed to develop without undue pressure. His loan to Lecce serves precisely this purpose. When Francesco looks at the eleven Rossoneri players before the kick-off, the first eyes he`ll meet will likely be those of Santiago Gimenez, a fellow center-forward with whom he sparred from February to June. Truth be told, “El Bebote`s” arrival significantly reduced Camarda`s first-team opportunities; in five months, he accumulated just a handful of minutes in the Champions League in Rotterdam and 90 minutes in the final match against Monza. However, sources from Milanello confirm that Francesco learned a great deal from Santi, seeking advice and observing his techniques intently. This Friday, they will find themselves on opposing sides.
The Trend of Former Players Scoring
As we discussed, a potential goal from Camarda would certainly sting the Rossoneri faithful. “Quoque tu, Ciccio” (You too, Ciccio) might be the collective thought. Yet, to be honest, it wouldn`t be entirely new territory for Milan and its fans. One only needs to recall Hakan Çalhanoğlu`s penalty in the derby, his first as a former Rossoneri player, complete with hands cupped to his ears under the curva sud on November 7, 2021. Other instances that come to mind include Yacine Adli`s goal last year in Florence, for which he apologized and refrained from celebrating, or Charles De Ketelaere`s goal in Bergamo last December. In essence, it`s an unwelcome recurring pattern.
Management and Development
Francesco Camarda`s narrative with the Rossoneri last year spanned 250 minutes across league and cup competitions. This was, of course, merely the opening act: his Serie A debut as a starter, followed by his Champions League debut. A series of personal “dreams accomplished” were checked off. AC Milan clearly believes in him, having offered him a contract until 2027 and sending him out on loan this summer to secure valuable playing time. This represents a dual vote of confidence. To be precise, his last season can be divided into two phases: Fonseca affectionately called him “the child” but held him in high regard, giving him starts in Serie A and a couple of brief appearances in the Champions League until January. However, with the arrival of Coinceao and another striker, his playing time drastically diminished. Consequently, Camarda often featured in Serie C with Milan Futuro, scoring 4 goals but unable to salvage what became an unfortunate season. Now, the challenge ahead is far more enticing; Francesco must demonstrate his readiness. And who knows, perhaps it will all begin this Friday… by making a significant statement directly against his parent club.
