Max Capriolo, who once helped nurture Italy internationals Moise Kean and Alessandro Buongiorno, now walks the training grounds of schools in Xiapu, bringing his Serie A experience to young players in the southeastern Chinese coastal county in Fujian province.

After a modest playing career in Italy's lower leagues, Capriolo transitioned into coaching, working with almost every age group from children to U18 professionals.

Now 50, he brings two decades of coaching experience that includes spells in youth academies at Serie A sides Juventus and Torino. Since early 2024, he has served under program director Marco Marchi at "Cagliari Xplay", a long-term cooperative project between the Italian club and Xiapu County.

"The passion here reminds me of Italy," Capriolo observed. "These kids look at you, they try hard and you can see them improving."

He works alongside 31-year-old Alessio Taris, another Cagliari youth team coach, in a comprehensive program that spans eight school teams and directly manages Xiapu No 1 High School's boys and girls teams. Their approach mirrors Cagliari's youth training philosophy while adapting to China's educational framework.

"The training model isn't vastly different," he explained. "But we must work within the school schedule." That means evening sessions after academic classes finish, with afternoons dedicated to analysis and collaboration with local PE teachers.

"The morning is when we prepare training for the next day," Capriolo said. "Alessio and I discuss what we observed. We work closely with Chinese coaches to ensure everyone understands our objectives."

This collaborative approach has proven effective in transferring not only skills, but also a professional mindset. The results spoke for themselves in the summer, when Taris and Capriolo guided Xiapu's girls' team to victory in the Fujian Provincial Youth Football League U18 championship.

"That experience wasn't just about winning," Capriolo reflected. "The atmosphere was incredible. People were crying and celebrating. The entire town celebrated together. It was a beautiful moment that showed soccer's power to unite a community."

Taris, who works daily with the girls' squad, also described the victory as the most unforgettable memory in Xiapu.

For Capriolo, who celebrated his birthday in Xiapu with a surprise party organized by local staff in October, the work carries both professional and personal significance.

"I'm very happy about this surprise," he said. "It's a very special moment in my life."

The Xiapu-Cagliari partnership, which began with a series of summer camps in 2019, has evolved into a year-round program, with Cagliari's soccer academy establishing its first Chinese branch in Xiapu. This year, youth team coaches from Cagliari took residence in Xiapu for a three-month stay each term.

The cooperation has continued to deepen with a three-year contract being signed. In November, eight Xiapu students — one boy and seven girls — will travel to Italy to train at Cagliari's academy, allowing them to experience European soccer culture.

In recent years, the amateur game has flourished. Across provinces like Jiangsu and Guizhou, local leagues now pack out community grounds, drawing thousands of fans and even catching the eye of international players and media.

Xiapu offers an alternative model focused on school players, and gradual, sustainable development, especially in small towns.

Capriolo emphasized patience in his approach. "We're not looking for overnight superstars. If players train with the right mentality, improvement is guaranteed."

Asked if he believed a Xiapu student could eventually reach Serie A, Capriolo responded with measured optimism. "Why not? With consistent passion, proper methods and daily dedication, nothing is impossible. We're building a pathway."

As evening fell and another training session began, Capriolo watched his students execute drills and passes with increasing precision.

"They need to remember that soccer is a game," he said. "They should enjoy the sport, but always give their all. That's how dreams come true."

Xinhua