Adin Licina’s loan at Cremonese was intended to turn promise into regular responsibility. Even with a wrist operation now threatening to interrupt his first months in Italy, the 19-year-old German has given Juventus another indication that their January signing from Bayern Munich may have chosen the right route.
The decision
Juventus brought Licina in from Bayern’s academy last January, but his place this season was the subject of discussion well into the summer. Cremonese eventually secured him on loan after Juventus had initially preferred to keep him close to the senior squad.
Cremonese sporting director Christian Botturi said the Turin club had first resisted the move because they wanted Licina involved with the first team. Talks reopened near the end of August through the relationship with Juventus director Marco Ottolini, allowing Pecchia’s side to complete the deal.
The club sees a player with technical quality and imagination, and his early contribution has backed that assessment. On his Cremonese debut against Parma in the Coppa Italia, Licina scored with a chipped finish. His Serie B introduction soon followed with an immediate assist for Federico Bonazzoli, before he beat the goalkeeper with a sole-of-the-foot touch and rolled the ball into an open net.
There was enough encouragement for Cremonese to ask the German federation not to call him up for the Under-20 side during this international break, allowing him to spend more time working within Pecchia’s group.
Licina has often been compared with Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. The two share a Bayern youth background, were born in Germany to immigrant parents and have a similar appearance, notably their long tied-back hair. Their preferred feet differ, however: Yildiz is right-footed, while Licina favours his left.
The immediate concern is his wrist. Surgery could keep him out for the next two league fixtures, pausing a start in which he has made difficult actions look uncomplicated.
Sunday’s picture
At Continassa, Cremonese’s training match against Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus offered a further glimpse of why the loan has become significant. Licina supplied the decisive moment for Bonazzoli, receiving Elia’s pass from the left and releasing a no-look ball that prevented Makiobo from getting back into the move.
A minute later, he went past Daniele Rugani with quick footwork and found Elia near the edge of the area, only for the Juventus goalkeeper to deny a second goal. Bonazzoli’s strike settled the friendly, but Licina’s involvement was the lasting note.
The coming absence will test the rhythm he has built in Cremona. Yet the longer view remains clear: Juventus have allowed a young player to gather matches, responsibility and experience away from Turin, with the expectation that he can return next year more ready to compete in black and white.
