Leonardo Menichini, the head coach of Pontedera, recently offered his viewpoint on the role of second teams in Italy`s Serie C and the potential benefits they could provide to young football talents. During an interview with TMW Radio, he commented: “Frankly, it really depends on the specific circumstances. Some extremely promising Primavera (youth academy) players gain significant advantages from training and competing alongside senior professional players and seasoned champions. Conversely, other young players thrive in a more demanding and competitive environment, where they encounter physical challenges and are pushed to develop resilience and mental toughness. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully assess each player`s development needs on an individual basis.”