Youth FA officials in Atalanta talks

Youth FA vice-president Robert Attard and general secretary Joe Micallef recently held talks with officials from the Atalanta youth sector in Bergamo.

The discussions centred on youth football and ways to strengthen ties between the Youth FA and Atalanta in the future.

The Youth FA officials were introduced to the Atalanta coaches during the Eurosport Tournament, played in Birkirkara last March.

Atalanta, who have a twinning agreement with the Birkirkara FC nursery, sent two youth teams to participate in the tournament.

Atalanta, who have just won promotion back to the Serie A, boast one of the most respected football nurseries in Italy, having nurtured the talents of top players such as Roberto Donadoni, Alessio Tacchinardi, Ivan Pelizzoli and Domenico Morfeo, among others.

In Italy, Attard and Micallef toured Atalanta’s training facilities in Zingonia and were given an in-depth explanation of the set-up and modus operandi of the Scuola Calcio.

They also held meetings with technical director Mino Favini, head coach Stefano Bonaccorso and youth coach Andrea Pandolfi. More discussions are expected to take place in the near future.