PLANNING AND STRATEGIES IN YOUTH CATEGORIES
The event, organized by SFS in collaboration with Lega Serie A and under the patronage of the City of Milan, was held on the occasion of the Inter-Cagliari Primavera Supercup Final
In the picturesque setting of the Palazzina Appiani, inside the“Gianni Brera” Civic Arena in Milan, the first SFS Snack of the 2025/2026 season, entitled “Planning and Strategies in Youth Categories,” was held today, promoted by SFS and Lega Serie A, under the patronage of the City of Milan, on the occasion of the 2025/2026 Spring Super Cup Final between Inter and Cagliari.
The meeting offered a moment of discussion on the growth pathways of Italian youth football, with particular attention to the organizational models of Clubs, international competitions, and the role of sports organizations outside major metropolitan areas.
The proceedings were opened by Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo, who today announced the introduction of an important new award dedicated to young players in Italy’s top league, and by Martina Riva, Councillor for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policies of the Municipality of Milan, testifying to the joint commitment to enhancing youth academies and infrastructures dedicated to young footballers.
DE SIERVO: “I would like to thank the Municipality of Milan for their hospitality and constant support. As Lega Serie A, we have understood how important it is to give the right emphasis to our Primavera Finals, hence the decision to play in the splendid setting of the Arena. I also thank the FIGC and wish the boys the best of luck for the Under-20 World Cup—the hope is to replicate the excellent results of recent editions. Serie A must put young players in the best conditions to develop their skills, which is why it is essential that the quality of youth football remains at a high level. As a testimony to the value that Lega Serie A places on talent, starting this season we will award the “Rising Star of the Month” prize to the best Under-23 Serie A player at the end of each month”.
This was followed by a speech from Gianluigi Buffon, Head of Delegation of the Men’s National Team, and an address by Maurizio Viscidi, Coordinator of Italy’s Youth National Teams at FIGC, who focused on the development of technical skills in under-14 players, stressing the importance of fundamentals in the growth journey of young footballers.
The panel “Success Beyond the Metropolises” featured Giovanni Carnevali (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio), Tommaso Giulini (Cagliari Calcio) and Saverio Sticchi Damiani (U.S. Lecce), moderated by Giada Giacalone (Sportitalia), with contributions from Sportitalia Director Michele Criscitiello. The executives shared how clubs from non-metropolitan cities have managed to build virtuous pathways for talent development, becoming true models of reference for Italian football.
The day concluded with closing remarks by Luigi De Siervo and Gianfilippo Valentini (SFS), who reiterated the importance of joint efforts among Institutions, Clubs, and partners to ensure a more competitive and sustainable future for youth football.
Valentini: “Today confirmed how fundamental it is to build a system that can combine resources, expertise, and passion. With SFS, ahead of the eighth edition of the Summit in November in Turin, we want to continue fostering moments of dialogue and sharing, so that the journey of young footballers is supported by a solid and forward-looking network.”
At the end of the conference—an important milestone on the road to the eighth edition of SFS, scheduled for November 18–19 at Allianz Stadium in Turin—attendees were able to watch the Primavera Super Cup Final between Inter and Cagliari, further proof of the central role that youth competitions play within the development strategies of Italian football.
