One-time Perth S.C. (then known as Italia) junior Adrian Madaschi has experienced a lot since heading abroad as a 15-year old to take up an offer to join Italian club Atalanta. After progressing through the various youth sides at club level, Madaschi helped Australia make the final of the 1999 Under-17 World Championship in New Zealand where the Joeys lost 6-7 on penalties to Brazil. The tall defender played a leading role in Atalanta lifting the 2000/01 Primavera Coppa Italia, and shortly after back in national colours at the World Youth (Under-20) Championship.

Last September Madaschi took up an offer to spend a season on loan to Seric C side Monza where he hoped to gain first team experience. Unfortunately, things didn't quite go according to plan for the young defender. "The loan was supposed to last for the whole season but for some reason that was cut short and has puzzled many people, including me. Monza decided to send me back to Atalanta, whether it was to make space for the six Brazilian players they bought - of whom only one has made an appearance since my departure - I do not know. It was a surprise to both my teammates at Monza and Atalanta who could not believe that I was returning to Atalanta so early and for no particular reason. Still today the official reason for my leaving has not been made to me."

"But for me this is not a problem. I'm not one to sit around and dwell on past experiences, good or bad, it's time to move on to bigger and better things," said a confident Madaschi. "Atalanta is my club and it's a club that believes in me and has respect for me both as a player and a person and knows what I can achieve. My return to Atalanta was the best thing that could have happened and I'm happy about it. My experiences at Monza may seem negative but I can assure you that many positive things have come out of it and I am very grateful for them. It is now up to me to put into practice the many things I learnt while at Monza so I can fulfill my immediate goal of debuting in Serie A before the end of this season."

Despite getting limited chances to prove himself at Monza, Madaschi said he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the club. "If I was to be completely honest, Monza was a great experience - despite the various problems associated with the club and the way is was run in such an unprofessional manner. Although I only made eight first team apearances - six from the start - I can honestly say that I was happy with my performances and, if I was given the opportunity, I believe that I could have proved of a lot more valuable to Monza than what they received."

While things did not work out at Monza, Madaschi's career with Atalanta could be about to blossom. "I'm back at Atalanta and training non-stop with the first team. When I'm not needed for the bench, I go with the Primavera side to keep up my match fitness. My new start with the first team has begun very well and I'm very happy with how it's going. The guys here are all top blokes, always there to help, encourage and give you great tips and its great to learn from people like Massimo Carrera and Cristiano Doni. Both these players are unbelievably down to earth - they make you feel at home, they show you the greatest of respect and are true examples to follow ... these are the people I aspire to."

"I'm hopeful that I'll make my debut before the end of the season. It will really depend on me being able to demonstrate my ability, and also on whether Atalanta can avoid the relegation zone and be safe in the last couple of games. I'm encouraged to train hard and show what I'm made of and this alone is a great feeling because it shows you that people believe in you. But, like I said, it will be up to me to show people what I can do and if I'm up to the standard then the reward will come. I am very optimistic about it."

Within a week of leaving Monza, Madaschi was back in action for Atalanta, playing in the prestigious International Tournament of Viareggio with the Primavera team. "That was at the start of February and I can say that I was very happy with both mine and the teams' performances - if only we had a bit of luck by our side! It was often commented that we were the best football playing side there as we really did hand out a few footballing lessons. The side was made up of many very good young players, of which five are part of the Under-17 national squad, plus a few experienced players like myself. We won all our games convincingly in the first round, 4-1 against Anderlecht, 1-0 against Empoli - when we missed about five open goal opportunities! - and 3-1 against Maccabi Haifa."

"In the quarter-finals we beat Vicenza 1-0 and then, after missing four unbelievable scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes and dominating the game for almost 80 minutes, we lost to Inter Milan 2-0 to get knocked out. It's not always the better team on the day that wins and that's what's so good about football! After a few days of disappointment we saw Inter go on to win the tournament in an even more fortunate manner - Torino were tipped to win and played a lot better in the final - all you can saw is that Inter were destined to win and congratulations to them. The tournament was very important for me as it allowed me to express myself as a player and I felt at home again playing with Atalanta."

As for his future with Atalanta, Madaschi says that is currently up in the air. "It will all depend on how our season finishes but I'm sure that the club will remain in Serie A even with a few games to spare towards the end of the season. At the moment we are currently three points above the fourth last - that is the relegation zone and although that doesn't sound too safe the team is very well prepared to make that jump up the ladder."

"Personally, I am working hard and also keeping in mind next season where I hope to find a good Serie B or C club for another loan deal that can offer me a good chance to play regularly and prove myself. On the other hand if Atalanta were to ask me to stay - hoping and confident that it will be in Serie A - it would be to fill in spots when required and this too could also prove fruitful. My options are open but at the moment I have only one thing in mind and that is training hard and preparing myself in the best way possible to get a chance of a Serie A debut before the end of this season."