AC Milan vs. Cesena: Massimiliano Allegri Calls Upon 5 Teenagers for Match

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has called up three players from the Primavera squad in order to fill the roster for Saturday's match against AC Cesena.

Simone Ganz (18), Adria Carmona (19) and Mattia De Sciglio (18) all made the 21-man roster for the match, as Milan have 10 players out with injury.

Philippe Mexes, Mathieu Flamini, Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele Bonera and Luca Antonini are all injured at the moment, forcing Allegri to give young players a chance much earlier in the year than is common.

The Primavera call-ups are not the only teenagers on the roster for Milan. For the third straight match, Mattia Valoti and Stephan El Shaarawy were called into the squad by Allegri.

Valoti impressed in the preseason, notably scoring in the 12-0 exhibition win against Solbiatese Arno. With the trouble in the midfield, he has been on the bench for each of the last two games, but has not played.

El Shaarawy, on the other hand, has played in both games and has a goal to show for it. The 18-year-old entered Wednesday's match against Udinese with 20 minutes gone to replace the injured Pato. His second-half goal earned Milan a share of the spoils. A lot has been made of the youngster's promise and it is hard to imagine that he doesn't join Antonio Cassano in the front for Milan straight from the start tomorrow.

Milan face a tough test in Cesena. As with most mid-table sides in Serie A, they are not to be taken lightly. Everyone can remember the nightmarish night for Milan in Round 2 last year when Milan lost 2-0 on the night that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho debuted for the club. Cesena also gave trouble to other big clubs throughout the season, particularly Inter, who needed two stoppage-time goals from Giampaolo Pazzini to delay Milan's title clinching by another week.

It is a difficult time for Milan with the abundance of injuries, but with Ibrahimovic expected back soon as well as Boateng, Mexes and Robinho, Milan fans can know there is still plenty of hope at a Scudetto this year, though it is in the Champions League where the club will be looking to make the most noise. They return to action there on Wednesday, where at least one big name may return.

Possible Lineup for Saturday's Match vs. Cesena

Christian Abbiati

Ignazio Abate, Mario Yepes, Thiago Silva, Taye Taiwo

Antonio Nocerino, Mark Van Bommel, Alberto Aquilani

Clarence Seedorf

Stephan El Shaarawy, Antonio Cassano