Could Juventus Next Gen be promoted to Serie B? | OneFootball

Juventus Next Gen, the Old Lady’s second team, have qualified for the playoffs to Serie B, but could they really be promoted to the second division?

The Bianconeri set up their second team back in 2018, initially known as their Under-23 squad before it was rebranded to be their ‘Next Gen’ squad. They became the first Serie A club to set up a reserve team, something that is more common in other countries like Spain.

Unlike the Premier League, where the Under-23 teams compete in a separate division, the Juventus Next Gen squad were registered to Serie C, where they’ve been competing against teams like Cesena, Perugia and Pescara.

Juventus Next Gen in Serie B?

Juventus Next Gen finished seventh in the regular season in Serie C Group B, putting them in the playoffs. Many fans have questioned whether or not the team could be promoted to the second division, considering their nature as a reserve team and the rules seen abroad.

FIGC Official Press Release N. 216/A confirmed that reserve teams would be allowed to be promoted to Serie B should they win the playoffs, with the only obstacle being competing in the same division as their main team.

Amusingly, Juventus Next Gen’s top scorer this season is the 34-year-old Simone Guerra, who has netted 17 goals across 38 appearances for the allegedly Under-23 squad.