FSGC: curtain raised on the San Marino Academy Under-22

"The San Marino Academy Under-22 is a federation project." The FSGC President chose these words to open the press conference presenting the new football entity that will take part in the 2023-24 Campionato Sammarinese BKN301. "It all stems from a warning cry issued by the Technical Committee a little over a year ago – explains the head of the Football Federation – Essentially, two main problems were identified: often the players of our Under-21 National Team involved in European Qualifiers had played little or not at all for their clubs; secondly, many players coming out of the youth sector were quitting football for other paths. After discussions between the Federal Council and the Technical Committee, an idea emerged: to try to have the boys coming out of the youth academy play together, testing themselves in a qualifying league such as the Campionato Sammarinese." From the initial concept to the definition and then the actual launch of the project, study, discussions, time and bureaucracy were needed. "The first thing we did was to move to amend the existing agreement with the FIGC – continues the President – extending the age bracket of the players eligible for the San Marino Academy from 10–19 to 10–22 years. Once that was done, we requested authorisation from UEFA and formal acknowledgement from FIFA. The former was granted last April in Lisbon, during the 47th UEFA Congress. We expect the latter next week, but it is practically a done deal." Marco Tura then moved on to outline the key points of the philosophy underpinning this new team: "The intention of the FSGC is first and foremost to field San Marino players. For purely numerical reasons, some Italians may also be involved, but only on condition that they come through the San Marino Academy youth sector. There will be no transfer market activity. The idea is not to become competitors of our affiliated clubs, but rather to develop the players from our youth system with a view to the National Teams. The reference age is between 19 and 22, but younger players who prove themselves worthy will not be denied the chance to gain experience with the Under-22. This group will be led by Matteo Cecchetti, who will combine the roles of Under-21 National Team head coach and club coach. He has had complete freedom in choosing his staff. The plan is for the boys to train four times a week, with the option of a fifth session in the gym. From the very start there has been great enthusiasm from the coach and his staff. We know we are doing something innovative and our aim is to ensure that this project continues over time, that it is not just temporary. We want to help our boys grow so that our National Teams are better prepared. It goes without saying that if someone proves good enough to play in prestigious Italian divisions, we will not stand in their way. On the contrary, we will encourage them." This point is also stressed by Daniele Arrigoni, one of the members of the Technical Committee sitting at the desk alongside the federation leadership and coach Cecchetti. "Clearly none of us will stand in the way of a step up in category. But we have noticed a recurring problem with some of our youngsters: a tendency to rush too quickly into testing themselves in higher-level leagues such as Serie D, for example. Often they get there but then, for a variety of reasons, they do not play. Our mission will also be to support them through this transition, effectively acting as a bridge. Spending a year or two with the Under-22 might help them reach those divisions better prepared – especially in terms of physical and athletic condition – and therefore increase their chances of playing and standing out." As explained by Secretary General Luigi Zafferani, the team will take part in the league, but not in the Coppa Titano. It will appear in the standings and may also contest the play-offs. What it cannot do, being in all respects affiliated to the FIGC, is take part in European competitions. There will be no squad-size limit and it will draw exclusively from a pool of San Marino players and/or players coming through the San Marino Academy youth ranks. Matteo Cecchetti will lead a staff that will largely coincide with that of the Under-21 National Team – though not entirely. And the reason is explained by the coach himself: "When my staff and I are involved in international windows, we must ensure that the Under-22 players not called up to the National Team can continue to follow their training schedule. In those periods there will be a mini-staff taking care of them, and inevitably it cannot be the same as the National Team staff."

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