Juventus are the only Italian club to have set up a reserve team in Serie C and Max Allegri believes more ought to follow their example to help revitalise Calcio. ‘People only talk about problems without proposing solutions.’
During the EURO 2024 qualifiers against England and Malta, it was the first time in 29 years that there were no Juventus players in the starting XI or on the bench.
“Roberto Mancini is a great coach and made his decisions. We at Juventus have brought through several young players who need to gain experience and I think, if not in the immediate future, then probably further down the road, they will be in the Italy squad,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
The Bianconeri remain the only Serie A club to have set up their own B-Team which plays its football in Serie C, called the Juventus NextGen, and that has allowed Allegri to bring through several new talents including Enzo Barrenechea, Fabio Miretti and Nicolò Fagioli.
The coach was asked if more clubs ought to follow their example and if the players are more ‘ready’ for the step up after playing in Serie C rather than in the Primavera League against other teenagers.
“The quality of the players is what counts, but it is true that those who come up from the NextGen are in better physical shape. Juventus made important investments in that team and it will pay off in future. I think Manchester United have eight or nine who came from the youth academy and are now 28 years old. UEFA also give you bonuses with the more players who came through the academy.”
While Italy bring in Mateo Retegui from Argentina to play upfront, Allegri insists clubs ought to consider why it takes so long for young Azzurri to mature.
“I heard that they want to raise the age limit for the Primavera team, but in my view, you cannot have 20-year-olds playing in the youth side. They might already have two kids by then!” noted Allegri.
“I am not an administrator, but I think it also helps clubs on a financial level. I think the entire Italian football movement would benefit from looking at the figures here. People only talk about problems without proposing the solutions.”
All the Italian clubs were given the option of setting up this reserve team in Serie C, but only Juventus took up the proposal and there are still absolutely no signs of any others joining them.