The best-scoring Vlahovic in Italian skilled soccer isn’t the well-known Serbian striker main the road for Juventus. That title belongs to Vanja Vlahovic, the 20-year-old of no relation to the Bianconeri’s Dusan, and his 14 targets in 16 Serie C matches for Atalanta U23.
He’s blossoming quickly in his first full marketing campaign on the skilled stage, serving to validate Atalanta’s choice to comply with Juventus’ lead and begin an under-23 growth workforce in Serie C.
It’s season two of La Dea’s developmental mission, 5 years after Juventus set the precedent with their Subsequent Gen squad, and Milan turned the third Serie A aspect to comply with the development with the introduction of Milan Futuro this time period.
Prime-flight golf equipment sponsoring reserve or growth sides in decrease skilled divisions is commonplace in different international locations, equivalent to Germany and Spain, however wasn’t permitted in Italy till 2018.
What modified was Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, prompting an intervention from the Italian Soccer Affiliation (FIGC) which, partly, resulted within the allowance of those reserve groups to be fashioned in an effort to enhance the nation’s youth growth.
Juventus at the moment are on the level the place it’s clear to see the advantages of them being the primary to grab the chance, with many former Subsequent Gen gamers establishing themselves each with the Outdated Girl and past.
Atalanta’s youth growth and scouting have lengthy been lauded and Milan’s wealthy vein of younger expertise made them logical successors. However after greater than half of the 2024-25 Serie C, there have been blended outcomes for all three reserve sides.
The Logistics
The clear advantage of younger gamers getting expertise in Serie C is the chance to face older, stronger, extra skilled opponents than the Primavera (under-19 division).
Improvement sides take part within the Coppa Italia Serie C and face the strain of promotion or relegation ought to they end the season in these locations. The elevated depth and stakes present a extra direct bridge to the primary workforce than the Primavera may ever be.
And it’s actually a greater choice than the frequent observe of persistently loaning out younger skills. The event workforce retains them throughout the membership’s construction and provides prospects the prospect to coach with the primary workforce after they’re prepared.
Every reserve aspect is permitted to register a most of 4 gamers over the age of 23, skilled execs there to supply management and steering to their youthful colleagues.
Having primarily a membership inside a membership provides added depth within the occasion of a depleted first workforce as nicely, one thing that’s confirmed mandatory for Milan and Juve this season.
An vital distinction between the trio of growth groups and nearly all of their Serie C counterparts is that these three aren’t arduous pressed to push for promotion, nor have they got fanbases dreaming of climbing the divisions.
Juve Subsequent Gen, Milan Futuro and Atalanta U23 all must earn their place within the division yearly, as they aren’t shielded from relegation and are allowed to be promoted as long as they don’t play in the identical league because the senior workforce.
It’s probably that demotion to the semi-professional fourth tier would put any of these tasks in disarray, though newly-promoted Serie D golf equipment usually fail to satisfy registration necessities for Serie C and a relegated growth aspect would presumably be first on the record to fill the emptiness.
Nonetheless, Milan Futuro and Juventus Subsequent Gen each discover themselves in relegation play-out spots after 21 matches. The 60-team Serie C is break up into three, geographically organized 20-team teams, with Atalanta U23 in Group A, Milan Futuro in Group B and Juve Subsequent Gen in Group C.
Atalanta U23 are the standouts, sitting fourth of their part whereas profitable three straight to conclude the calendar yr. In the meantime, Milan Futuro are 18th in Group B, profitable simply three of 21, and Juve Subsequent Gen enter January at sixteenth in Group C.
Though the first purpose of all these tasks is to foster enchancment of younger gamers and construct a sustainable future for the primary workforce, a stability should be struck between development and outcomes.
Vlahovic’s explosion and the rise of different starlets for Atalanta U23, equivalent to former Barcelona youth participant Albert Navarro in protection, paired with their snug place within the high 10, exhibits that La Dea have, unsurprisingly, discovered this equilibrium somewhat shortly.
Milan Futuro ought to in all probability be pardoned a bit for his or her poor outcomes, provided that it’s their first yr of existence, however it has already allowed skills like Francesco Camarda and Alex Jimenez to combine with the senior workforce.
In the meantime, if Juve Subsequent Gen hold the identical tempo it’ll be their worst end since becoming a member of Serie C earlier than the 2018-19 marketing campaign. They made the promotion playoff in 4 of their first six seasons, together with a best-yet seventh final time period, however there are a number of components contributing to the 2024-25 downswing.
For one, the Bianconeri reserves needed to change to Group C this yr (the southern part) as the principles at the moment state that the event sides can’t play in the identical group. With all three being based mostly up north the choice was made by way of random draw, and now the Subsequent Gen’s closest away journey is greater than 440 miles.
And Juventus’ reserves have actually missed the likes of Samuel Mbangula, Nicolò Savona and Jonas Rouhi, who’ve all spent way more time with the primary workforce resulting from a rash of early-season accidents.
However the truth that these three, particularly Mbangula and Savona, had been instantly obtainable and have quickly established themselves in Thiago Motta’s setup furthers the notion that growth groups are the longer term.