Chievo Verona’s Serie D Promotion Bid Bolstered by Douglas Costa and Mario Balotelli’s Influence

Chievo Verona, once a fixture in Serie A, is embarking on a challenging journey back to professional football from Serie D, a path significantly aided by the surprising recruitment of former Brazil international Douglas Costa. The move, which sees a player of Costa's pedigree competing in Italy's fourth tier, was reportedly influenced by Mario Balotelli through his connections with the club's president.

The "Flying Donkeys," after spending 17 seasons in the top flight, faced financial ruin and expulsion from professional football in 2021. Their resurgence began with club legend Sergio Pellissier establishing Clivense, which later acquired the historic Chievo Verona brand. Now, with a blend of young talent and experienced players like Alberto Paloschi and Daniele Baselli, they are pushing for promotion through the Serie D play-offs.

A Remarkable Return

Douglas Costa's arrival at Chievo Verona in January was a significant coup. The 35-year-old winger, who boasts an impressive career with Bayern Munich and Juventus, where he won Bundesliga and Serie A titles respectively, was considering a move to a South American club. However, a conversation with Mario Balotelli, who is connected to Chievo president Pietro Laterza's Dubai-based club Al-Ittifaq, diverted his path to Italy.

Costa himself revealed that Balotelli's invitation led him to consider a six-month stint at Chievo to maintain fitness, given that the foreign player slot at Al-Ittifaq was already occupied. His return to Italy, a country he "loves very much," was an easy decision, partly driven by a desire to "make up for" scoring against Chievo during his Juventus days and help them reclaim their professional status.

Key Facts

Impact of Star Power

Chievo Verona president Pietro Laterza emphasizes the motivational impact of players like Costa and Balotelli on the club's young prospects. He views their presence as a significant source of inspiration, helping to shape the mentality of the next generation of players and providing a clear pathway into professional football through the club's new academy.

Despite a career marked by injuries and off-field issues, including a mutual termination of his contract with Sydney FC, Costa arrived in Verona with 24 career trophies. He acknowledges the difference in environment compared to his previous high-profile clubs but embraces the challenge of adapting to amateur football and elevating the league's standard.

The Road Ahead

Chievo Verona's immediate goal is to secure promotion from Serie D, a complex process that does not guarantee a Serie C spot even if they win their play-off final against Casatese Merate. The league ultimately decides which play-off winners fill any Serie C vacancies, though the financial struggles of several third-tier clubs offer a glimmer of hope.

Costa's influence is already evident, with a decisive goal in the play-off semi-final against Milan Futuro (AC Milan's Under-23 team). He views his role as not just contributing on the pitch but also helping to instill a professional mentality within the squad. "Football in Serie A and Serie D is still football – the dynamics are similar," Costa noted, highlighting his commitment to the project.

A New Chapter for a Veteran

For Douglas Costa, this chapter represents a unique challenge after a glittering career spanning major clubs in Brazil, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, the United States, and Australia. He has worked under esteemed coaches like Pep Guardiola and Massimiliano Allegri, and now applies his experience in a completely different setting. He finds joy in the game, adapting to the lower league while still receiving cheers from opposition fans who anticipate his special talent.

The initial plan was for Costa to conclude the season at Chievo before potentially moving to Dubai. However, with the club's strong push for promotion, both Costa and the club are focused on finishing the campaign as strongly as possible, with future plans to be decided later. This unexpected turn of events has delighted Chievo fans, who envision their club's return to the professional ranks, spearheaded by the likes of Costa in their yellow and blue colors.

Fuente: BBC Sport Football RSS https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cwy23l3x7zko?atmedium=RSS&atcampaign=rss