The Derby Della Madonnina is now a global game. It brings tourists to the Giuseppe Meazza, it has been played at midday for Chinese audiences and in its own right, is one of the most recognised fixtures in world football. To the Milanese however, this is still their Derby for their city and resonates much more deeply in their hearts. Never has this been so apparent than this season, when in the Coppa Italia deep into extra time, local boy Patrick Cutrone snatched a late winner and the celebrations were heartfelt by player and fans alike.
If you take the Zurich train from Milano Centrale, in 40 minutes you will get off at the picturesque town of Como. Here, the 1930’s Como stadium sits on the lake next to the seaplane hangar and between this and the Metropole Hotel Suisse, children can be seen playing football in the provided areas near the lake. It was here in 1998, just as a true Milanista, Cesare Maldini, lead the Azzurri to a penalty shootout defeat in France, that Cutrone was born. At six years of age, as Fabio Cannavaro lifted the World Cup in Germany, he started to play 5-a-side in these areas of Como. In 2008, as Italy (just over the border) crashed out of Euro 2008 to Spain, Patrick was signed by Milan.
Despite his tender years, it is arguable that he is product of the old Berlusconi regime, and if only circumstantially, now has been recognised by the new. Cutrone had risen through the academy for 11 years before Vincenzo Montella gave him his debut last season in May. Milan last term had almost out of desperation, stumbled onto an identity, as a lack of funds meant that the Primavera became one of the few places that new talent could be found. Since then, the Far Eastern powers came in and that summer saw them spend an eye-watering £210m on new players. Nikola Kalinic and Andre Silva arrived up front and it seemed that Cutrone’s chances would be few and far between.
The fact that Montella was replaced by Genaro Gattuso was confirmation that things were not going well for the Rossoneri. The simple facts were that Vincenzo could not settle on a formation that would cram all these new ‘superstars’ in and he also couldn’t find goals from Andre Silva (0 goals in Serie A) or Nikola Kalinic (4 Serie A goals). Whilst the young Portuguese striker may have been scoring in the Europa League, the fit just didn’t seem right and it was to this effect that Cutrone was given his chance.
Cutrone started well and has found goals in all competitions, in Serie A he has scored twice despite only starting six times whilst in the Europa League, he has three goals in five starts, His Coppa Italia exploits against Inter however, saw his become a firm fan favourite as he is the representation of them on the pitch. Firstly, he recognised the importance of scoring in the Derby, his celebration showed as much. He professed it was a dream to score a goal like that and then he dedicated the goal to his family. He is a fan of the club, not outlandish, not the modern footballer, he is hard working and claims that his game is based on hunger and determination, he says all the right things.
Whilst loving the club, being part of its fabric and working hard maybe endearing qualities, it should not be forgotten that the 20-year-old is supremely talented. A huge fan of Filippo Inzaghi growing up, he also can finish well and has the instincts of a player who could easily go on to net 20 goals a season. His comments about playing on the edge may have meant that he is ‘pumped up’ but it seems that watching him he has learned from his mentor, as he plays on the defender’s shoulder and is willing to gamble with the offside trap. Strong, quick and versatile he can play wide and with his fellow strikers floundering, perhaps this is his time.
Cutrone’s rise at Milan may have come because of the inability of others and the fact that he took his chance when it came but it should act as a lesson for many clubs. Even now, as all the media coverage looks to the next big transfer, there is still a viable alternative. How many clubs like, Chelsea, Inter or countless others, overlook their youth systems. Its is true that there may not be many Cutrone’s but how do they know if they don’t give the young talent a chance.
