‘Juventus Primavera & Youth Sector’ Latest: Key Results Plus More Magnu!

The Winter break ended for the Settore Giovanile this week and the top two teams returned to action in very different circumstances. Both the Primavera and Allievi squads may look back on the weekend as a defining period in their seasons, albeit for very contrasting reasons. Our Youth Sector expert Adam Digby guides you through the latest as well as exciting news concerning Hörður Magnússon.

Primavera

The Primavera returned to action with what is ultimately a very good result but one Marco Baroni and his players will have many regrets over. A 2-2 draw against second placed Fiorentina keeps the Bianconeri five points clear of their closest rivals but, after going in two goals up at half-time it is hard not to look upon it as an opportunity missed.

First Andrea Schiavone made no mistake with a penalty in the opening ten minutes following a foul on Giuseppe Ruggiero before Stefano Padovan continued his hot-streak in adding a second. The two Turin born youngsters – profiled in this column last week – both played well but sadly the same cannot be said of goalkeeper Simon Sluga who had a poor second half and was at fault for the first of la Viola’s two goals.

His selection, along with that of Gianluca Rubin would have to be the biggest question marks in the starting line-up. The sooner Laurenţiu Brănescu returns to the starting spot the better while there must be a case for selecting either Prince-Désir Gouano or Hörður Magnússon over Rubin. Both were chosen to travel to Dubai by Antonio Conte and possess far much more ability and potential in such a key position. Baroni himself was keen to play down the team’s poor performance, telling SportItalia:

“We started again after a long break with an important game and so it’s okay, we accept this draw. It’s clear that Fiorentina’s players are able to make a major impact. We have to be a bit more careful and a little more cynical. I did not like how we took care of the ball in the second half, we were a little too slow. But for the game I’m happy, the result is right.”

The most disappointing aspect is the momentum gained by Fiorentina going into the Coppa Italia first leg, held this coming Wednesday, January 18 in Florence. Boosted by the return to action of Alberto Libertazzi – absent due to injury for the past two months – It will be crucial Juventus eradicate the concentration issues on display here if they are to overcome a tough opponent in the second leg at the end of the month.

Allievi

The Allievi Nazionali (U-17) took part in the Al Kass International Cup, progressing to the Semi-Final this Sunday after mixed results in the group stage. Fabrizio Del Rosso’s team finished in second place after losing to Japanese side Kashima Antelers (3-1) before beating both Aspire Qatar (2-1) and Al Jazira (3-2). Attacking midfielder Federico Matiello was in particularly impressive form in those opening fixtures as the line-up was continually rotated but the close scoreline in that last group game earned much scorn from the coach who said;

We came here with the target to reach the semi-finals but I am angry with my team for not appreciating that the game never stops. Football is mentality, concentration and motivation, and if you lose any of the three during a game you cannot grow and become a professional player.

Dutch giants Ajax provided the opposition in the semi, played on Sunday at the same time the first team were drawing with Cagliari. There was no such disappointment here as they smashed the Dutch side 4-1 thanks to goals from Eros Castelletto, Gabrielle Moncini and another two for Mattiello. The other encounter saw Kashima defeated by Paris Saint-Germain (who earlier also eliminated Barcelona) to take a place in Tuesday’s final where Juve will look for what would be a huge morale-boosting victory.

Sorry we forgot one… Jesús Garcia

Recently in this column on JuventiKnows we took a look at the two Garcias making a name for themselves in the Youth Sector, central defenders Pol and Carlos. Perhaps less well known to fans of the club is the existence of a third player of that name currently attached to the club. Jesús Garcia – born in 1990 – arrived at the club at the same time as his younger brother Pol and is currently out on loan at Lega Pro side Cuneo, for whom he actually played 45 minutes against Juventus in a very one-sided pre-season encounter.

Another central defender, his ability on the ball also sees him deployed at full-back or even as a defensive midfielder but he himself admits to being a far less talented player than his brother who he cannot wait to face off against as he told Vavel.com last week;

I had the chance to play against Juventus and it was a dream come true. My intention was to play against my brother but he was away with the Primavera so the confrontation between brothers will have to wait.

With the embarrassment of riches in central defence it would appear Jesús has far more chance of lining up against his brother than playing for Juventus alongside him at this point in time. Their careers appear, much like those of the Appelt brothers, to be set to travel very different paths as they find their way in Italian football.

Halló Hörður!

The good news just keeps on coming for Hörður Magnússon who, shortly after returning from the first team’s winter training camp, signed a new four-and-a-half year contract. The deal, which will see him tied to the club until June 2016, comes just a month before his nineteenth birthday and gives the Bianconeri superb depth in central defence, some of which must be close to breaking into Antonio Conte’s squad on a permanent basis.

In bocca al lupo ragazzi!