Ex-AC Milan defender Antonini explains taking U17 Al Nassr coaching job

Antonini spoke to Radio Serie A about his experiences in Saudi Arabia so far.

He said: “I arrived when the championship had already started, I did two: we won one and drew another. At the moment in Saudi Arabia they are also investing in the youth sector, Al Nassr started working on the growth of the youth sector last year and this year about twenty coaches have changed: I am the only Italian, there are many Portuguese, some Brazilians.

“In this part of the world they have passion, but when you take 17-year-olds who have not had an organized path behind them for a long time, you have to work hard. I arrived when we were throwing the ball forward and working on the second ball, as in the oratorio, while I prefer to start at the bottom and now even the children recognize this work.”

He added: “Does Cristiano Ronaldo come to watch our matches? He often goes to watch the under-15s matches where his son is playing.”