Fiorentina, Japan University is here. Discovering "University Brazil"

Florence, August 11, 2025 - The goal is twofold: to gain a life experience and, why not, to show off. The Japan University Football Association , representing the best Japanese university players, continues its tour of Italy. This team triumphed at the 2023 Universiade , confirming its reputation as a highly interesting youth team. It has a direct link to the Japan Under-21 team, and some players have already signed pre-contracts with professional teams in the country. But as we all know, European football is a different beast, and so the tour of Italy is an important opportunity to stand out in the eyes of agents and managers. This is especially true because in our league, currently, only Suzuki (Parma goalkeeper) is representing Japan.

Other Japanese players have landed in Italy in the past— Nakata passed through Florence—but now the safe haven seems elsewhere. Certainly the Bundesliga, but also the Premier League. The current generation is a very interesting one, considering Brighton's Mitoma, Real Sociedad's Kubo, Bayern Munich's Ito, Eintracht Frankfurt's Doan, and Mainz's Sano, all players valued between €20 and €40 million. The latest player on the market was Itakura (also tentatively linked to Fiorentina in recent weeks), who recently moved from Borussia Monchengladbach to Ajax.

Beyond the most famous footballers, The team that will face Fiorentina on Thursday evening (8 p.m.) at the 'Curva Fiesole' at Viola Park is full of young players whose best qualities are running and endurance. They need to improve technically and tactically, but physically they will put Pioli's players to the test. They're considered 'the Brazil of university football' , partly because the Brazilians have truly beaten them and, as mentioned, at Universiade level they have nothing to envy anyone. And they're certainly not in Italy to make a fool of themselves. The tour began several days ago and they've already played three matches. In their debut, they drew 1-1 with Genoa, the same result at the 'Manuzzi' against Cesena, while in their last test they were defeated 1-0 by Verona with a final goal from Mosquera . Fiorentina, therefore, have been warned. Beyond a series of official commitments for the young Japanese players, whose training camp is in Coverciano, the Viola Park match will be the most prestigious. There will be many curious eyes in the stands watching them. Viola scouts will undoubtedly be present, and if Daniele Pradè isn't present , Goretti and Angeloni will also be among the management. Who knows, perhaps a late preseason friendly might even uncover a talent for the Fiorentina of the future.