The Primavera

By: cathal | November 13th, 2009

As many keep asking and as goal.com did a feature on it, I felt it’s about time I did my own segment on it. I must admit, the Primavera is not something I keep close tabs on, mainly because it’s difficult to outside of Rome but I’ll do my best. Here it goes:

Iannarilli

Antony Iannarilli

Antony is a first-teamer but is only deployed to make up the numbers. At such a young age, it’s very difficult to judge a goalkeeper’s ability but with Carrizo unlikely to return, the French-Italian may find himself shooting up the ranks. I would like to see him get a proper shot at some point but obviously that is not going to happen this early in the season.

Luciani

Alessio Luciani

Alessio made his brief Serie A debut against Fiorentina recently and is one of the main protagonists of our Primavera side. Luciani is a decent age now (approaching 20) and while I think there is definitely a back-up spot for him at Lazio, I’m not sure how long he will accept being Kolarov’s understudy. Does he have the talent to usurp the Serbian? No, I don’t believe so but it would be nice to see him make the step up and chip in with the odd performance. A good player but not enough potential to get too excited about him just yet.

Alessandro Tuia

Currently playing in Italy’s third tier for AC Monza, Ale is not getting too many chances to show that “huge” potential that has been expressed. The next Nesta he is not but he is still very young, especially for a central defender and his trip out on loan will certainly do him good. However, the guy needs to play regularly and next season, when he returns, he has to go back out somewhere he can get a significant amount of game time. My hopes for him are still high but they are certainly fading.

Marco Davide Faraoni

Honestly, I view MD’s injury as one of our biggest losses this season. The right-back, who can potentially play in the centre and also as a winger is supposedly a huge talent and possibly one of the factor’s behind the decision to let De Silvestri go. He will be sidelined for another 4-6 months but I truly believe he was on the verge of a first-team breakthrough and I feel he will make his mark on Serie A next season. It’s a tough ask to put Lichtsteiner out of the side but in Faraoni, I think we have the talent to do so.

ITALY SOCCER SERIE A

Riccardo Perpetuini

The versatile midfielder has had occasional opportunities to show what he can do this season and I have to admit, he has surprised me. I think in terms of ability, he is fairly limited but I think he can develop into a very useful squad player; a dependable set of legs for an injury crisis. His adaptability is a key facet to his game and I assume we will see plenty more of this kid over the remainder of the season.

Federico Sevieri

This is the one youth player I am desperate to see in action. At 18, he is still very young but is technically a member of the main team. I expect to see him get a chance fairly soon as he is well-regarded by many but other than what I’ve heard, I have no idea what kind of player he is aside from the fact that he is a midfielder. I really want to see this player.

sciamanna

Jacopo Sciamanna

Jacopo is the main forward of our Primavera at present. He has been banging in goals in various youth competitions for a number of years now and started this season impressively. The competition in our forward line is ridiculous but with only three players assured of a role, Sciamanna could well be in line for a promotion if he keeps playing like he has been of late. It will be by no means easy, but I have more confidence in Jacopo than I do in the others.

Lorenzo Cinque

Lorenzo made a big impression a couple of seasons ago with his goal tally after virtually taking up calcio as a teenager. Injury problems have blighted his development but many big guns were chasing him with Cinque rejecting all advances. Hopefully he can put his issues aside very quickly and make the step up that he should be capable of.

Libor Kozak

Libor has been criticised immensely but I have never quite understood why. He was relatively prolific last season and featured in a couple of Serie A games at the end of the year. At Brescia, he has played almost all games in some shape and form and has already got his name on the scoresheet. I fully expect him to be the eventual replacement for Cruz and I think we have a very useful forward on our books.

Ettore Mendicino

He made quite the quick impression in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool but has done little of note since. Yes, he is young but top strikers should find their feet in Serie A in no time and Ettore did not look at home at all. He is currently on loan at Crotone and there has been nothing to get our knickers in a twist. I think he could be a decent utility player at best.

I would estimate that four or five of the above names will make it in the top-tier; I just question if they will do so with us and if so, to what capacity. Forza Lazio!