Gazzettaworld:
From exciting strikers to commanding defenders, the 2016 Viareggio Cup had a wide variety of young talent on display to look out for in the years ahead
The 68th edition of the Viareggio Cup ultimately saw Juventus crowned champions, but beyond the Bianconeri, there were a number of talented players on show.
Though it has not always been true that players who shine in this competition go on to enjoy the most successful of careers, with some players seemingly peaking too early and never reliving the heights they reached during their time in Tuscany.
With that put aside, here are five of this year’s standout performers who could be worth keeping an eye on going forward.
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The Spanish full-back has already been labelled by some as the 'Little Lichtsteiner’, which is extremely high praise for an 18-year-old.
His ability and composure on the ball is remarkable and from viewing the semi-final match against Spezia, you could be forgiven for confusing Lirola for an advanced playmaker.
Rather appropriately wearing the No.21 shirt, the versatile Lirola, who can also play on the right of midfield, was orchestrating almost everything Juventus put together and claimed two assists that would leave you drawing comparisons with Andrea Pirlo in terms of passing ability.
Since signing from Espanyol in 2015, Lirola is yet to feature for the Old Lady’s first team, but based on his performances in Tuscany, his debut might not be too far away.
With Stephan Lichtsteiner’s contract in Turin set to expire in 2017, the youngster could be ready to make the step up to regular first team action.
Fabio Della Giovanna | Inter
Despite his side falling to a semi-final elimination against Palermo, Della Giovanna was instrumental in guiding the Bianconeri to the final four and was one of the most impressive defensive players at the 2016 Viareggio Cup.
With the 19-year-old captaining the side in each of their six games at the tournament, the Nerazzurri conceded just three times throughout, and with two of these coming from Palermo’s Golden Boy Antonio La Gumina, this is quite an impressive record.
Commanding and communicative without possession and cool and collected with the ball at his feet, the Italian could go on to become a real asset for Inter.
Whether his breakthrough in Serie A is at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza or elsewhere, he is definitely one to monitor the progress of in the coming seasons.
Alessio Di Massimo | Juventus
So impressive were his performances in Tuscany, that speculation has already commenced with regard to the possibility of Di Massimo making his maiden Serie A appearance later this season.
Scoring three times in six appearances, including the decisive penalty in the final, the winger grabbed the attention of spectators and most importantly, it would seem, Bianconeri first team coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Before moving to Serie D side Avezzano, Di Massimo initially impressed during his time at Sant’Omero and Alba Adriatica in the Promozione and Eccellenza divisions respectively, where he found the net 31 times in two seasons, despite not playing as a striker.
Spending just one year at Avezzano, Juventus came knocking in January of this year and his career trajectory has continued to skyrocket.
Despite only making his debut for Juventus’ Primavera two months ago, Di Massimo looks destined to go on to big things and after scoring some important goals in the knockout rounds of the Viareggio Cup, Allegri could grant him a first team appearance before the current campaign draws to a close.
Andrija Filipovic | Spezia
Six goals in five appearances made the Croat impossible to overlook in this selection as he beat off competition from team-mate David Okereke to make the final cut.
An understanding that bordered on telepathic, it would be remiss to include one without as much as mentioning the other.
Filipovic’s deadly partnership with the Nigerian was the main reason for the Aquilotti reaching the semi-final, where they were eliminated by the eventual champions on penalties.
A complete striker, the 19-year-old’s goalscoring prowess was evident throughout the tournament, most notably as he bagged a hat trick in a 3-1 win against Inter early on.
Filipovic regularly displayed that there was more to his game than scoring goals as he looked to link the play between midfield and attack, often allowing Okereke to lead the line as he sought possession in deeper positions.
Antonio La Gumina | Palermo
The competition’s Golden Boy deserved every bit of praise he received. Without doubt the most exciting and enjoyable player to watch from the beginning to end of the Viareggio Cup, La Gumina’s performances are the sole reason for the Rosanero reaching the final, where they eventually fell short despite him scoring twice.
Though Palermo fans might not want to hear these comparisons, the nimble-footed and tenacious La Gumina looks to be made from the same mold as former Rosanero talisman Paulo Dybala.
The striker’s form goes further back than the Viareggio Cup, too, with him finding the net 12 times in 13 appearances for Palermo’s Primavera since making his Serie A debut against Torino in September, before scoring nine goals in seven appearances on the Tuscan coast.
With the Sicilians struggling for goals in Serie A, Walter Novellino could do a lot worse than to give the 20-year-old an extended run in the first team.
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