SOURCE: IL MESSAGGERO (article by G. Tontodonati) –
The youth sector season is coming to an end and it is already time to take stock. In the various selections there are many players on the launching pad. The latest talent capable of making the leap to the first team was Matteo Dagasso (30 appearances and one goal in Serie C). Among the Primavera players, one has already tasted professionalism: Michael Zeppieri. The Italian-Canadian center forward, who arrived last summer from the Pescara Academy based in Toronto, has scored 12 goals. A haul that could have been greater if an ankle injury hadn’t forced him into the pits for over a month. Zeppieri made his first team debut on 27 January against Sestri Levante as a late substitute for Gigi Cuppone. A week ago Marco Stella’s eleven stormed the Ternana pitch, securing safety with two rounds to spare. At the end of the first half Pescara were ahead by 2 goals thanks to Zeppieri’s brace, then there was the Umbrian comeback (2-2) and in the second half Stella sent Antonio Arena onto the field. The very young Italian-Australian (born in 2009!) returned the trust by scoring the 3-2 goal before the final 4-2 scored by Antonio Palumbo. At the beginning of the season Arena played in the Under 16s, later he was also used in the Under 17s and finally found some space in the Primavera. Arrived from the Pescara Academy in Australia, he is part of the Australian U17 national team. The performance of the offensive winger Antonio Palumbo, the team’s top scorer with 14 goals, was also excellent. Born in 2005, from Gioia Tauro in Calabria, Palumbo landed in Abruzzo after freeing himself from Reggina. Among the white and blues on the rise is the external attacker Francesco Ricciardi, from Cupello in Abruzzo. Born in 2006, in the second part of the championship he grew a lot, gaining an important role. Brought to Pescara when he played in the Pulcini category by the current head of the blue and white youth team Angelo Londrillo, Ricciardi is skilled at dribbling, equipped with good technique and a powerful and precise shot. A few days ago he trained under Emmanuel Cascione with other kids, including Tommaso Zandri, Roman goalkeeper born in 2006 taken in 2022 from the Capitoline club Tor Tre Teste, and Lorenzo Berardi, (son of the former Biancazzurro Simone Berardi) class midfielder 2006, 4 goals scored and many convincing performances. This morning at 11am the Primavera will host Palermo, with the last match against Entella in a week. A decisive match, however, for Andrea Gessa’s Under 17 team, fourth in the standings. Tomorrow at 3pm the Delfino of Pratolano striker Cardilli, vice top scorer of the group with 15 goals, will face Monterosi at home and in case of victory they will gain access to the play offs. Tomorrow (1pm) last day also for Luca D’Ulisse’s Under 15s against Monterosi. Pescara, which features Michele Di Marcello from Avezzano, vice-top scorer in the group with 18 goals, has already secured second place and will face Juve Stabia in the play-offs (first leg 12th, second leg 19th May). Finally, the season is over for the Under 16 team coached by the Italian-Canadian Sandro Grande (sixth position) and for the Under 14 team of Fabio Giansante who played an excellent tournament: third place behind the battleships Lazio and Roma. Many talents from Pescara born in 2010 on display, including Daniele Di Giosaffatte, top scorer with 7 goals, defender Dinesh Antonetti, attacking winger Matteo Cipollone and, above all, Emanuele Troiano, central defender who will soon move to Milan.
