Tonight at 8 PM, Brambilla`s Juventus Next Gen will play against Crotone in the second round of the Serie C Playoff. The Bianconeri club, on its official website, provided an analysis ahead of the match against the Rossoblù. Here are the club`s comments:
Having brilliantly overcome Benevento, Juventus Next Gen is preparing for the second playoff round. Their opponent is Crotone, managed by Enrico Longo, who finished fourth in the regular season. Thanks to their league position, Crotone bypassed the first round but haven`t played an official match since April 19th (a 2-0 loss to Casertana), having a bye on the final matchday. This is a key factor: they might be fresh, but also possibly a bit rusty after several inactive weeks.
NEXT GEN SHINES AGAINST BENEVENTO, AIMING TO REPEAT THE FEAT IN CROTONE
From Campania to Calabria: over 400 kilometers separate Benevento`s Ciro Vigorito stadium from Crotone`s Ezio Scida. There`s barely time to rest, a quick stop in Turin without unpacking, and it`s back on the road towards another challenge. Coach Max Brambilla himself emphasized after the last match how hungry, young, and ready this group is for back-to-back tests. Playing often can be an advantage. Juve is in good form, and the Benevento match provided significant confirmation. While Berra`s first-half red card made things easier for the Bianconeri, it`s important to highlight Pietrelli`s goal before the sending off, when both teams had 11 men. The team`s approach, high press, and willingness to take control of the game quickly troubled Benevento, putting their defense under pressure and leading to errors. The 5-1 final score was a great reward and a huge confidence boost for the next stage. They still need to win to advance, but the lads are getting used to this requirement. They approach the toughest obstacles with confidence and personality.
SHARKS IMPROVING IN RECENT MONTHS, LONGO HAS BUILT A GOAL-SCORING MACHINE
Built to dominate Group C, Crotone struggled somewhat to assert themselves during the season. The progress made since January is the most reassuring aspect for Longo, who, even during leaner spells, stuck to his footballing philosophy, shaping an offensive-minded team that scores easily. Numerous reinforcements arrived in January, notably Jacopo Murano, an experienced player for the league who has scored 5 goals for his new club and serves as an excellent focal point for the team`s complex attacking plays. He joins an already strong attacking lineup including Tumminello, Gomez, and Oviszach, who have collectively scored 38 goals. These numbers reflect the quality of their forwards, and Mattia Vitali`s creativity, with 11 assists and consistently inventive play, must also be mentioned.
Longo`s 4-2-3-1 system primarily relies on working the flanks, which could pose significant problems. Playing at high tempos and often seeking midfield superiority, Crotone has frequently left themselves exposed defensively. While they boast the best attack in Group C by numbers (62 goals), their often-breached defense is a counterpoint to their scoring prowess. Over the course of a match, the Calabrian side tends to concede too much. In open play, during transitions, and with midfield pressing, opportunities for Juve will likely arise tonight. The Next Gen team`s compactness and close positioning between units could be crucial, aiming to replicate the focus shown against Vigorito on Sunday evening.
GIL AND CITI RETURN, MANY OPTIONS FOR BRAMBILLA
Citi and Gil Puche return for Juve after serving suspensions, filling vacant spots in the squad. Coach Brambilla might stick with a three-man defense (at least initially) for structure and balance, potentially shifting to a more offensive setup later if needed. Crucially, replicating the midfield performance seen against Benevento, where Faticanti and Macca shone, will be vital. Up front, Cudrig, Guerra, and Pietrelli hope to repeat their scoring feats, while Afena-Gyan`s characteristics are also ideal for disrupting Crotone`s defense, which can be spread out. With many options and high motivation, the coach will make his final decisions just hours before the match.
REGULAR SEASON MATCHES
The head-to-head record from the regular season is 1-1. The first encounter was Brambilla`s second match back in charge on November 24, 2023. Crotone won at the Scida, but it was a version of the Bianconeri team that would improve in the following months. An own goal by Puczka and a goal by Oviszach in the first half put Crotone ahead, with Guerra scoring for Juve in the second half. Despite a late Juve push, the Calabrians held on for the win. The return match at the Pozzo was a different story: the Next Gen won decisively 4-1, thanks to Adzic`s brace and goals from Pietrelli and Guerra. Gomez`s goal for Crotone only served to lessen the deficit.