There comes a time, in football, when numbers are no longer simple figures but become the signs of a story. The first phase of European qualifiers has allowed the Azzurri Youth Sector to write unprecedented pages in our history books: for the first time, both the Under-17 and Under-19 sides have won their respective groups with a maximum points tally, without conceding a single goal. It’s not just the result that counts but the way in which we managed it.

Massimiliano Favo, who guided the U17s to the European title in June in Cyprus (Italy 3-0 Portugal), has made another mark. In Group 9, his lads scored 17 goals and conceded none, beating San Marino (5-0), Wales (4-0) and Norway (7-0). Every story has a protagonist and here we find Thomas Campaniello, Empoli forward born in 2008. He is the only player to have experienced the magic of the Euros win and this season, he decided to raise the game: 6 goals in 3 games, the top goalscorer of the first round ahead of Lennart Karlo, Bayern Munich’s German midfielder, and Spartak Trnava, both with 5 goals. League A now awaits the Azzurrini where their next adventure will take place between the 18 and 26 March.

Then, we have the U19s coached by Alberto Bollini who knows a fair bit about European action: two seasons ago, he celebrated the Euros title win in Malta (Italy 1-0 Portugal). In Group 8, his lads showed solidity against Bosnia and Herzegovina (3-0), Montenegro (3-0) and hosts Greece (1-0). Amongst them, a silent leader: captain Mattia Mannini, the 2006-born Roma midfielder, who scored three goals in three games, the top Azzurri goalscorer. The Elite Round awaits in spring.

Under these victories is a project that’s taken form with direction from Club Italia. Maurizio Viscidi, the Youth Sector Co-ordinator for the male youth sides, is the architect. In September in Nyon, as part of the UEFA workshop for technical directors, he revealed the secrets behind the Azzurrini success: a mix of planning, talent and vision that has made the Italian Youth Sector a model.

Each win, however, is only a step on a bigger journey. On December 5, once again in Nyon, there will be the draw for the second round of qualifiers which will decide the upcoming path. Under-17 and Under-18 sides, different squads, parallel stories, one mission: keep the dream alive.