From Frosinone to Genoa, Where to Watch Italy’s Stars of the Future in Serie A

When he selected his first Italy squad in June, Silvio Baldini argued there was no point in picking Azzurri regulars. Two friendlies at the end of a gruelling season would hardly move the needle for the established players, so Baldini, in his interim-manager role, turned to youth to hand some promising talents their first senior call-up.

Bar Gianluigi Donnarumma, the squad was still wet behind the ears with an average age of 20 years and six months, and contained five players who were in Serie B at the time.

Those five are now back in Serie A and among the young Italians to keep an eye on in the top flight this season.

Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone)

Frosinone’s return to Serie A last season was built on a rock-solid defence that conceded just 34 goals, the fourth-best record in the second tier. Goalkeeper Palmisani was central to the Canaries’ solidity, keeping 15 clean sheets in 38 appearances and displaying a maturity beyond his years that earned him a call-up to the Italy squad in June.

A product of the Frosinone academy, he spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Lucchese in Serie C and then returned to his parent club, establishing himself as the automatic starter.

Aged 22, he now has the chance to cement himself as the understudy to Donnarumma. Back in Serie A for the first time in three years, Frosinone is the perfect stop for those wanting a second helping of football after taking in a game in Rome, as the city is just 50 minutes by train from the Italian capital.

Looking at the first few weeks of the new season, Frosinone host Juventus to start their campaign on August 23 with Roma entertaining Fiorentina the following evening.

On matchday three, Roma are at home to Atalanta on September 5 with Frosinone against Venezia taking place on September 6. And on matchday five, the last round of fixtures before the international break, Roma take on Inter on September 19 and Frosinone entertain Como the following day.

Start planning your double header now.

Seydou Fini (Frosinone)

The second Frosinone player called up by Baldini, Fini is highly thought of in Italy after impressing with Genoa’s Primavera side and he has already scored four goals in 10 caps for the Azzurri Under-21s.

Quick with and without the ball, he can play on both wings and will return to the Canaries this season after a relatively successful loan spell last term, when he scored once and registered two assists in eight appearances after joining in January.

Still very much a rough diamond, the Ivorian-born forward is definitely a player to watch for the future. As an added bonus, the Stadio Benito Stirpe is one of the best small stadiums in the country.

Luigi Cherubini (Roma)

One of the Serie B players called up by Italy for friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece in June, Cherubini is back at Roma after spending the past two seasons on loan at Carrarese and Sampdoria.

A left-winger by trade, the 22-year-old’s versatility is his biggest asset as he can play as second striker, attacking midfielder and as a right winger.

Cherubini scored three goals and set up four to help Carrarese survive two seasons ago and had four goal involvements last term as Sampdoria finished 13th in the second tier.

Another loan move may beckon for the Under-21 star, but don’t bet against Gian Piero Gasperini throwing him in for Roma this season. And there are few better destinations for a calcio experience than Rome, a city that lives and breathes football. From murals dedicated to Francesco Totti to Roma-themed bars in Trastevere and, of course, the Stadio Olimpico, the Eternal City is a calcio cathedral.

Giovanni Daffara (Parma)

Goalkeeper Daffara spent last season in Serie B with Avellino, keeping three clean sheets in 25 appearances and doing enough to earn his first call-up to the Italy team.

A product of Juventus’ academy, Daffara cuts a commanding figure in the box at 6ft 3in and is an excellent shot-stopper. His potential convinced Parma to fork out £4.5m to sign him this summer and where better to fulfil his potential than in the city where Gianluigi Buffon first announced his arrival on calcio’s biggest stage.

The glory days of the Buffon era may have gone but Parma remains an ideal destination for a football weekend, offering amazing cuisine, history in beautiful surroundings and a strong sense of calcio nostalgia.

Matteo Dagasso (Venezia)

Dagasso came off the bench against Luxembourg and Greece last month, continuing a trend that saw him feature as a squad player after joining Venezia from Pescara in the January transfer window.

A product of the Pescara academy, the 22-year-old had played 19 Serie B games for Pescara up until then after starring in their promotion-winning campaign, scoring four goals and registering seven assists.

A central midfielder capable of playing slightly deeper or further forward if required, Dagasso showed his eye for goal by scoring twice in eight caps for Italy Under-21s and has a bright future ahead at Venezia, who returned to Serie A at the first time of asking last term.

Venice is home to the Pier Luigi Penzo, the second-oldest stadium in Italy still in use. Situated on the island of Sant’ Elena, you can reach the stadium by boat, but time is ticking down as Venezia are due to move to a new ground by the beginning of next season. Get organised early and get tickets.

Lorenzo Venturino (Genoa)

Another youngster called up by Baldini in June, Venturino is still to make his Italy debut but he is unlikely to wait much longer. One of Italian football’s most exciting prospects, the winger graduated from Genoa’s academy and impressed for their Under-19 and Primavera sides.

He made his Serie A debut with the Rossoblu aged 18 and scored twice in six games before heading to Roma on loan last term, where he made 10 appearances.

A speedy winger who can play on both flanks, Venturino, who turned 20 in June, has also been deployed as a right midfielder and in the No 10 role for both clubs and Italy Under-21s. Back in Genoa this season, he has the potential to feature regularly for the Rossoblu under Roma legend Daniele De Rossi.

The Stadio Luigi Ferraris, calcio’s oldest stadium and one of the iconic venues of Italia 90, offers one of the best football experiences and it is straightforward getting tickets. As a true football city, and with Genoa and Sampdoria in different divisions, there is also the opportunity of a double-header. Check the fixtures and catch both at home on the same weekend.