Campionato Primavera 1 2024/25 Review

One of over 190 youth tournaments included in Hudl Wyscout’s Youth Pack, the Campionato Primavera is where reputations begin to crystallize. 

This is the same tournament that previously showcased names like Juventus ’Kenan Yıldız, Real Madrid’s €60M signing Dean Huijsen, Roma’s Pisilli, and Genoa’s Lorenzo Venturino — who recently bagged a Serie A brace. These are no longer just promising youngsters; they are first-team players, or close to it.

As such, we interrogated the footage to pick out the most exciting talents from the six clubs that reached the post-season playoffs. Some may soon debut in Serie A, others could go even further. Only time will tell, but for now, it's worth shining a spotlight on those who, perhaps, are already seizing the future.

AC Milan

AC Milan's Primavera season has been affected by the club's general difficulties and the management of talents between the U23 team and the first squad. Despite an inconsistent run, which culminated in a sixth place finish, an elimination from the quarter-final play-off by Sassuolo, and a Coppa Italia final loss to Fabio Pisacane's Cagliari, Federico Guidi's team still managed to develop its prospects. Besides the already well-known Mattia Liberali (2007), Christian Comotto (2008) stands out.

Son of former Serie A defender Gianluca Comotto, Christian is a complete box-to-box midfielder with a solid build and strong technical skills. Two years underage, he recorded four goals and two assists as a regular starter. His tactical intelligence and innate leadership elevate him; he dictates play and reads situations like a veteran.

Juventus

Like Milan, Juventus Primavera also faced challenges related to managing talents shared with the U23 team. Nevertheless, the season was generally positive, reaching the Coppa Italia semi-finals and finishing fifth in the league, before being eliminated from the quarter-final play-off by Fiorentina. 

Francesco Magnanelli's team showcased many promising players, including Francesco Verde (2007), Filippo Pagnucco (2006), and Francesco Crapisto (2006). However, the true technical leader and seasonal revelation has undoubtedly been their number 10, Alessio Vacca (2005).

Vacca impressed with 16 goals and 7 assists in 33 matches, acting as the offensive cornerstone of his team, performing as a second striker, or often a false nine. His prolificacy in front of goal, combined with his ability to provide decisive assists, makes him an unpredictable forward, especially given his proficiency with both feet. 

What immediately stands out when watching the video back are Vacca’s extraordinary technical skills, which allow him to delight the audience with highly difficult plays: rabonas, nutmegs, and backheels are not just stylistic flourishes, but functional tools to create superiority and illuminate offensive actions. Despite a modest build, he excels with leg strength and ability to shield the ball and play with back to goal.

Fiorentina

Fiorentina Primavera is arguably the true surprise of the championship. Starting from a fourteenth-place finish last season, they have undergone exponential growth, concluding this year in fourth place, level on points with Sassuolo. 

This rise was not entirely unpredictable, given their clear playing philosophy based on dominating matches through possession and an already young squad. Despite a dip in form between February and April, the season ended on a high, with three consecutive victories and the elimination of Juventus and Roma in the play-offs, earning them a place in the final against Inter, which they then lost 3-0.

Daniele Galloppa's meticulous work has developed several talents who have already had a taste of the first team, such as Jonas Harder (2005) and Maat Daniel Caprini (2006). But the team's beacon, the player who shone the most was undoubtedly the number 11, Tommaso Rubino (2006).

As well as being a "figlio d'arte" -- his father, Raffaele, was a prolific striker in Serie C, with a stint in Serie A with Novara in 2011/12 -- Tommaso is very hard to categorize from a positional perspective: he’s an attacking midfielder, a second striker, a dynamic central striker, a winger... in essence, he's a tactical unicorn. He could even evolve into an offensive mezzala in a 4-3-3. 

His numbers speak volumes though, putting in an MVP season: Rubino scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions, demonstrating his dual value as both a top scorer and creator. 

When looking at the video, Rubino impresses by combining pragmatism and aesthetics, impacting games on and off the ball with exceptional ability. He dribbles with precision, beats defenders, delivers key assists, shoots well from distance, is clinical, makes excellent runs, and takes set pieces. Rubino is simply a complete, pure talent with top-level potential.

Sassuolo

Sassuolo Primavera continues its tradition of excellence, showing consistency from the previous Scudetto-winning season. Their third-place finish in the league table testifies to the solidity of a youth sector that, despite many players leaving due to age limits, has managed to develop a new generation. While Borna Knezovic (2005) shone with 18 goals and 7 assists thanks to his lethal left foot, and Kevin Bruno (2005) showed flashes of class, it’s worth focusing on Kevin Leone (2005).

Already crucial in the Scudetto win, Leone is a modern and versatile midfielder: capable of performing as both an offensive playmaker and an attacking mezzala. In Emiliano Bigica's tactical setup, Leone shows remarkable positional intelligence, tending to drop deep to play the ball with a control that allows him to very rarely lose possession. 

In addition, thanks to his explosiveness and leg strength, Leone pushes forward, impacting the final third with decisive runs and dangerous shots (5 goals in the league). Already mature for his age, he demonstrates a deep understanding of game dynamics: he knows when to play with few touches, flowing the play, and when to carry the ball to "destructure" opposing defenses, creating numerical superiority and attacking spaces.

Inter Milan

Inter, the most successful Primavera team in two decades, remains a talent factory, exemplified by former alumni national team left-back Federico Dimarco. This season, while Thomas Berenbruch (2005) and Giacomo De Pieri (2006) emerged, the standout is young Matteo Cocchi (2007), another left-back.

Despite a medium build and a rather slight physique, Cocchi boasts an exceptional technical-athletic skillset, making him an outstanding prospect. This is his second year as a starter in the Primavera, an impressive fact considering that last season, at just 16, he had already established himself as arguably the best full-back in the league, notably providing eight assists. 

Although he saw less playing time this season due to some physical issues, he still managed to register five goals and six assists in 34 matches, numbers that confirm his offensive flair and ability to make an impact. His performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him, like his teammates Berenbruch and De Pieri, a prestigious debut with the first team, even in the Champions League. 

Cocchi embodies the archetype of the modern attacking full-back with a strong offensive inclination, reminiscent of successful models from the early 2010s: great athleticism, ability to beat opponents, and a formidable left foot for crosses or shots. Does this last characteristic, combined with his role and academy background, remind you of anyone? The link to Dimarco is inevitable: Cocchi has all the qualities to follow in his footsteps.

Thanks to these great prospects, Inter crowned their campaign in style, sweeping aside Fiorentina 3–0 in the 2024 final at Viola Park. It was a statement win, worthy of a club that continues to set the standard in Italian youth football.

Roma

Roma remains Italy's most prolific youth prospect producer, though talents often thrive elsewhere. Gianluca Falsini's team continues this trend with immense talent, especially in midfield and attack. They comfortably won the regular season with 83 points and 91 goals, before their play-off semi-final elimination by Fiorentina.

While obvious focus falls on attacking talents like the number 10 Leonardo Graziani (2005) with 14 goals and 7 assists, or Leonardo Coletta (2007) also with 14 goals, attention should shift to the less flashy, yet crucial, Alessandro Romano (2006). 

This Swiss holding midfielder, with a strong build, acts as a perfect "Casemiro-esque" defensive anchor. When watching footage, his technical prowess and ball management are remarkable for his role, excelling in short and long passing. Despite appearing slow, his tactical intelligence ensures he's always in the right place. His eye for goal is also notable, notching six goals last season. Roma might just have their own Rodri.