Juventus president Andrea Agnelli spoke about the Bianconeri Next Gen team and how it came to be.
Juve is the only Italian club to have a B team competing in the lower leagues of Italian soccer.
Their Next Gen team has served as a good breeding ground for talents who have graduated from the U19 team and need to continue developing to prepare to star in the senior team.
Because the team competes in Serie C, their best players are usually good enough to compete in Serie B or even top-tier Italian soccer.
It was established in 2018, but Agnelli reveals that the idea was first considered in 2010.
He said via Tuttomercatoweb:
“Since 2010 we wanted the second team project. A moment of discontinuity was needed to bring it to life, Costacurta must be given a great merit: he pushed to create them.
“The first year was very strange, the players didn’t understand what it was about and they lived in an environment of hostility. I spoke to them and told them that they were Juventus. This is a part of the growth path to become a footballer. I think of all the coaches we have had, the directors. The road is difficult for them, those who feel prepared have a hard time turning back”.
Juve FC says
The Juventus Next Gen team has been one of the best in Serie C and has helped develop a number of our young players.
He will continue to play an important role in developing talent at this club and we look forward to more youngsters from there making it into our first team.
