Juventus’ friendly against Cremonese offered a small reminder of how quickly football generations can overlap. Davide Marchisio, born in 2009, stepped onto the pitch in black and white for around 20 minutes, beginning his own association with the club where his father Claudio became a familiar figure.
A Juventus family thread
- Davide Marchisio recently signed his first Juventus contract, a decision that underlined the faith placed in him at Continassa.
- In the match with Cremonese, the midfielder made his first appearance in the senior side’s shirt. He can operate centrally, as a box-to-box midfielder or further forward.
- His versatility recalls the early years of Claudio Marchisio, who was still a young Juventus player when he chipped Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar in 2009.
- Alfonso Montero also featured in the friendly. The February 2007-born centre-back is the son of former Juventus defender Paolo Montero.
Alfonso Montero already has several appearances between Juventus Under-20 level and the UEFA Youth League, with six goals to his name. Comfortable with either foot, he has shown an ability to step forward at the right moments while also being strong in individual marking.
For both players, the family name opens doors only as far as the training ground. Their next task is the one faced by every son of a former professional: making sure the name on the back of the shirt becomes their own rather than a comparison they must carry.
Roma’s young forwards and defenders
At Roma, Lorenzo Paratici is building a reputation as a goalscorer with the Primavera. The 2008-born forward has been prolific for the youth side and has also started in two summer friendlies under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Paratici is coached at youth level by Mattia Scala, son of Vito Scala, the long-serving fitness coach associated with Francesco Totti. There is another link in the story: Paulo Dybala, who watched those friendlies, was brought to Juventus during the period in which Lorenzo’s father was involved at the club.
Roma also have Federico Terlizzi, son of former defender Christian Terlizzi. Like his father, Federico plays at the back, bringing physicality, character and a strong aerial game.
New surnames across Serie A academies
- Christian Comotto is among the midfield prospects available to Amorim at Milan. He is the son of Gianluca Comotto, the former full-back who played in Serie A for Vicenza, Torino, Fiorentina, Reggina, Ascoli and Cesena.
- Fiorentina’s 2010 group includes Mattia Barzagli, Andrea Barzagli’s son, who plays as a centre-forward and scores regularly.
- Alvaro Valero, son of former Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero, is a central midfielder in the same age group.
- Armando Floro Flores, a 2011-born wide attacker and son of former Serie A forward Antonio Floro Flores, is playing above his age category and has drawn attention from scouts around Italy.
Robinho Jr’s Genoa start
Genoa brought Robinho Jr to Italy near the end of the summer transfer window. The son of former Brazil forward Robinho, he arrived with a reputation for direct running, technique and a willingness to take on opponents.
- Before his move, he had attracted attention in Brazil after an argument with Neymar at Santos, triggered by one dribble too many.
- Daniele De Rossi had not initially included him on the senior matchday bench.
- He then started a friendly against Rapid Bucharest.
- At Primavera level, under former Genoa captain Mimmo Criscito, he began with a double against Atalanta: one goal came after he rounded the goalkeeper, while the other was a curled left-foot finish into the far corner.
The adjustment to Italian football will take time, but Genoa have already seen enough to understand the level of his potential.
Those already moving into senior football
Some of the next generation have already crossed into the professional game. Louis Thomas Buffon, son of Gianluigi Buffon, made his Serie A debut for Pisa last December. A physical forward, he previously represented the Czech Republic at youth international level.
Filippo Grosso, son of Fabio Grosso, is now at Crotone in Serie C after spending last season at Frosinone in Serie B, where he made one appearance and scored once.
The pattern extends beyond Italy. In the Netherlands, Mark van Bommel’s son is an established attacker for PSV Eindhoven and his national team, while Robin van Persie’s son Shaqueel is a forward at Feyenoord.
For Marchisio, Montero and the others, the inheritance is clear: familiarity with the game, a demanding example at home and a surname that inevitably invites scrutiny. The more important part of the season-long story will be written in their own minutes, goals, tackles and decisions, rather than in the memories attached to their fathers.
