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Bartesaghi: 'I owe everything to Allegri and Milan'
AC Milan's 20-year-old defender Davide Bartesaghi credits Massimiliano Allegri for his breakthrough season, amassing nearly 2,000 minutes and becoming a key starter despite summer competition.
A surprise starter in red and black
At just 20 years old, Davide Bartesaghi has emerged as one of AC Milan’s most reliable performers this season. With 26 appearances and nearly 2,000 minutes played across all competitions — including two goals and one assist — the academy graduate has defied expectations. His rise is all the more remarkable given the summer signing of experienced left-back Pervis Estupiñán. Yet it’s Bartesaghi who has locked down a starting role, a testament to his adaptability and the trust placed in him by manager Massimiliano Allegri.
Bartesaghi, a product of Milano Futuro — Milan’s now-relegated Serie C reserve side — credits that gruelling season in Italy’s third tier as pivotal. 'Without Milan Futuro, I would’ve had to leave the club and city,' he admitted. 'The pressure, the physicality, the experience — it’s not Serie A, but it’s not youth football either. It was the perfect bridge.'
Allegri’s imprint on a young defender
Since taking over last summer, Allegri has instilled a no-nonsense defensive philosophy, driven by last season’s leaky backline. 'He made simple requests: don’t concede goals and score. He repeats it every day,' Bartesaghi said. 'If you work consistently, you add one brick at a time.' That foundation has allowed Bartesaghi to thrive, even as he’s been deployed in multiple roles across the back line.
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'I owe everything to Allegri and his collaborators. They’ve given me confidence and helped me adapt to different roles.'The young defender praised Allegri not just as a tactician but as a mentor. 'He always told me to stay calm. The staff supports me, and I feel closer to them every day.' Bartesaghi sees himself evolving into a three-man defence, where his versatility becomes a tactical asset — a trait Allegri clearly values.
Veteran influence and a title push
Inside the dressing room, Bartesaghi highlights Luis Gabbia as his closest ally. 'He’s the first. We spend so much time together.' On the pitch, Mike Maignan leads by example, while Adrien Rabiot offers constant communication. Of Luka Modrić, he notes: 'He makes himself followed with facts, not words.'
With Milan preparing for a crucial clash at Stadio Maradona against Napoli, Bartesaghi insists the squad is focused. 'It’s one of the most important games — fundamental in the final stretch.' For a player who began the season as an afterthought, his voice now carries weight in a side with genuine title ambitions.
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