It has been a year of growth with a constant eye on the future. Juventus Next Gen is ready to say goodbye to an important 2022 to welcome 2023 with the same energy.
Below we tell you in five fundamental stages about these twelve months, as intense as they have been satisfying.
PRO VERCELLI 0-1 JUVENTUS
On 4 May 2022, the then Juventus Under 23 coached by Lamberto Zauli, after finishing the regular season in eighth place on 54 points, faced Pro Vercelli in a knock-out match in the second round of the Serie C play-offs. The game was played at the Silvio Piola stadium in Vercelli and in a tight contest something special was needed to break the deadlock. That special moment was provided by Mattia Compagnon.
Having come on only a few minutes before, the talent from Friuli placed a shot from the edge of the area into the top corner. A wonder goal that proved to be decisive come the final whistle. The Bianconeri celebrated passage to the next round, having managed to overcome an opponent they hadn't beaten since 2019. This victory carved open their patch in the play-off race, significantly increasing the self-esteem of all the group.
PADOVA 0-1 JUVENTUS
A few days after grinding out victory in Vercelli, the Bianconeri had to face another test of unquestionable difficulty after overcoming Renate 2-1 on aggregate in the last-16 (1-1 at home, 0-1 away).
The two-legged challenge was against Padova for a place in the play-off semi-finals. In Alessandria, four days earlier, the first leg saw the side from Veneto triumph 1-0. At the Euganeo stadium in the return leg on 21 May, the Bianconeri won 1-0 with a goal from Enzo Barrenechea to level the tie 1-1 on aggregate.
Juventus Under 23 closed the two legs with their heads held high but still exited the competition because of Padova's better regular season position in the standings, which meant it was the team from Veneto that qualified to the semi-finals. Given the first-leg result, the Bianconeri were obliged to win by at least two clear goals.
Coach Zauli's team ended the 2021/2022 season with a taste of what could have been, but with the awareness of having made an extraordinary journey.
FROM UNDER 23 TO NEXT GEN
A new season and a new coach, Massimo Brambilla, in his first experience at senior level. And a new identity for the Juventus Second Team.
Juventus Under 23 officially becomes Juventus Next Gen.
A rebranding that showed how, once again, Juventus Football Club is always projected towards the future. The rebranding brought with it a new visual identity, new graphics, new font and new colours, all of which represent Juventus' strong desire for innovation. This important turning point happened on August 26th.
JUVENTUS 2-2 MANTOVA
After a difficult start to the season, with three defeats from the first five games, the team started to collect points. The most positive period without doubt began on 23 October with the 1-0 victory at home against Triestina and stretched all the way to Next Gen Day on 27 November, the day the Bianconeri faced Mantova and for the first time played a home match in the spectacular setting of the Allianz Stadium, in front of approximately thirty thousand fans.
Coach Brambilla's Juventus arrived at this challenge after seven consecutive positive results between the league and the Italian Cup and against the side from Lombardy collected an eighth match without loss. A 2-2 draw slowed down the Bianconeri's march, but still added to the drama of an unforgettable day for so many Next Gen boys.
Behind The Scenes | Next Gen Day
PADOVA 1-2 JUVENTUS
Lastly but only from a chronological point of view, another Bianconeri victory at the Euganeo stadium after last season's important success. On December 7th Juve Next Gen defeated Padova 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Serie C Italian Cup.
The team coached by Massimo Brambilla has set off on an adventure in the Italian Cup for their category - a path that in 2023, like that in the league, the Bianconeri outfit will aim to pursue with determination and personality.