Where to Watch Italy’s Stars of the Future in Serie B

With the World Cup in the history books, the focus shifts again to domestic football with the Serie B season just around the corner.

Italy’s absence from the big stage hurt, again, but the future could be bright for Azzurri fans, in part due to a number of prospects emerging in the second division.

Serie B has been a breeding ground for top talent over the years — think Antonio Di Natale, Luca Toni, Marco Verratti, Sandro Tonali and, more recently, Francesco Pio Esposito.

Here are six homegrown players worth keeping an eye on in 2026-27. And don’t forget, Destination Calcio TV shows three games live and for free during every round of fixtures. So, tune in to discover Italy’s stars of tomorrow.

Costantino Favasuli (Catanzaro)

The Catanzaro defender made his Italy debut last month, starting in the 1-0 win against Luxembourg and then came on as a substitute as the Azzurri beat Greece by the same scoreline four days later.

A product of Fiorentina’s academy, Favasuli spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Ternana and the following campaign with Bari, before joining Catanzaro on a free last summer.

The return to his native Calabria proved transformative for the 22-year-old, who established himself as one of the best defenders in Serie B under the guidance of Alberto Aquilani, scoring twice and assisting nine goals in 41 games as Catanzaro fell just short of a first promotion to Serie A.

The prototypical modern full-back, Favasuli can play on both flanks and has attracted interest from a number of Serie A clubs including Sassuolo, now managed by Aquilani, Fiorentina and Napoli.

For now, he remains a favourite in the City of the two Seas, where passion for the Giallorossi runs deep and generates one of the most authentic calcio experiences anywhere in the country.

Tommaso Berti (Cremonese)

Berti was one of the best midfielders in Serie B last season, scoring four goals and setting up eight in an ever-present campaign for Cesena. A product of their academy, the diminutive midfielder cut his teeth on loan at Fiorentina at the Primavera level before returning to establish himself as an automatic starter.

The 22-year-old, who can play as a central midfielder, No 10, and occasionally as the wide forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation, scored six goals and registered eight assists as Cesena won promotion from Serie C in 2023-24. He then impressed in his first season in the second tier as they reached the Serie B play-offs.

Cesena finished 11th last term, but Berti was one of their standout players and was called up by interim Italy manager Silvio Baldini for the friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece, though he is yet to make his Azzurri debut.

He moved to Cremonese for just under £2m in July. To catch a glimpse, Cremona is easily reachable from Milan and Bologna and deserves to be on any calcio itinerary.

Tommaso Martinelli (Avellino)

An understudy to David De Gea at Fiorentina, Martinelli impressed on loan at Sampdoria in the second half of last season, keeping seven clean sheets in 16 appearances as the Blucerchiati navigated to calmer waters and away from the spectre of a second consecutive relegation battle.

Martinelli’s performances were enough to convince Avellino to sign him on a season-long loan as they look to build on a successful campaign back in Serie B.

A towering figure at 6ft 3in, he is an excellent shot-stopper but is very much cut from the modern cloth of goalkeepers and is at ease with the ball at his feet.

Having already made his Serie A debut with Fiorentina and played three Europa Conference League games, the 20-year-old is very much Italy’s future in goal.

Avellino, 30 miles from Naples, will be one to watch this season with Alessandro Nesta as boss. They took the final play-off spot last term and averaged 9500 fans at the Partenio. You can expect it to be raucous in 2026-27, so check the fixtures when they come out on July 22 and plan your trip.

Raphael Kofler (Sudtirol)

Italy are relatively well stocked when it comes to defenders but Kofler is a player worth keeping tabs on.

Still only 21, the towering centre-back has been a regular for Sudtirol over the past two seasons, starting 50 of his 67 league appearances and winning six caps for Italy’s Under-20s.

He cuts an imposing figure at 6ft 3in and has already attracted interest from a number of Serie A clubs, but Sudtirol will be hoping to keep him in his home region — he was born in Meran on the border with Austria – for at least another season.

The Stadio Druso, Sudtirol’s home ground, may be one of the smallest in Serie B with a capacity of just over 5000 but it also offers visitors the chance to admire snow-capped mountains in winter. A breathtaking view in more ways than one.

Gabriele Guarino (Empoli)

Cut from a similar cloth to Kofler, Guarino is also difficult to beat in the air. A product of Empoli’s academy, the 22-year-old was on loan at Carrarese in the 2024-25 season, before returning to his parent club and establishing himself as a regular in defence.

Guarino, who has won four caps for Italy Under-21s, made 35 appearances for the Tuscans last season, contributing three goals and two assists.

His performances earned him a place in Serie B’s best XI for Italy’s Under-23 players and the defender will be crucial to any challenge for promotion this term.

Off the beaten track in Tuscany, Empoli is a passionate football city.

Fabio Abiuso (Carrarese)

Abiuso burst onto the scene last season, scoring 11 goals and registering five assists in 36 Serie B appearances for Carrarese.

Having played for Inter Milan’s youth team, the striker spent time in Serie C with Pergolettese, before spells at Modena and Sampdoria.

At 23 and now firmly established in the second division, he will be crucial to Carrarese’s chances of remaining in Serie B for the third consecutive season.

Football destinations seldom come more picturesque than Carrara’s Stadio dei Marmi, an intimate arena with a capacity of just over 5000 and a stunning view over the Apuan Alps and the city’s world-famous marble quarries.