Chievo Verona stand on the brink of a return to professional football, and they have a former Brazil international helping them get there. Douglas Costa, the 35-year-old winger with 31 caps for his country, joined the Serie D club in January. On Sunday, he can fire the Flying Donkeys past Casatese Merate in a play-off final that may open the door back to Serie C — a prospect that seemed impossible after bankruptcy struck four years ago.
The club’s journey is one of Italian football’s most dramatic rises and falls. Chievo became the only side to climb every tier of the pyramid, reaching Serie A in 2001 and staying there for 17 of 18 seasons until relegation in 2019. Financial collapse followed the pandemic, leading to expulsion from professional football. The club was rescued by legendary striker Sergio Pellissier, who founded Clivense in 2021. After winning promotion to Serie D, the historic Chievo brand was acquired in May 2024, with Pellissier staying as honorary president and sporting director.
Now the club is backed by ambitious owners. President Pietro Laterza, who also runs UAE second-division side Al-Ittifaq, has invested heavily in infrastructure and the squad. The Bottagisio training centre has been renovated, and experienced Serie A veterans like Alberto Paloschi and Daniele Baselli have been added. But the standout arrival is undoubtedly Costa, whose link to Verona came through an unexpected source: Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli, who plays for Laterza’s Al-Ittifaq, was the catalyst. Costa tells BBC Sport that he was close to signing for a South American club and had invited Balotelli to join him in Brazil. “He told me he couldn’t because he was travelling to Dubai, and then asked me whether I’d be interested in joining him in the UAE,” Costa says. With Al-Ittifaq’s foreign-player slot occupied, the suggestion was a six-month stay at Chievo to maintain fitness. For Costa, a return to Italy was easy: “I love Italy very much, so deciding to come was simple.”
Costa’s career has glittered with trophies at Bayern Munich and Juventus, where he won three consecutive Serie A titles, but recent years brought turbulence. A contract termination at Sydney FC amid a legal dispute over child maintenance in Brazil disrupted his momentum. Yet he has adapted quickly to the amateur surroundings. He scored a decisive goal in the semi-final win over AC Milan’s Under-23 side, Milan Futuro, and that strike has kept Chievo’s promotion hopes alive.
The play-off system is complex — victory on Sunday does not guarantee promotion, as it depends on Serie C vacancies created by financial failures higher up. But given the precarious state of several third-tier clubs, Chievo’s target remains within reach. Costa’s experience is invaluable. “Young players need experience,” president Laterza says. “Champions like Douglas or Mario are a huge source of inspiration and motivation, and give them an idea of what is possible in life.” The club has built a new academy with over 300 children, aiming to create a pathway from grassroots to the professional game.
Costa himself reflects on the shift in his role. “At Bayern I was young, and I was the one who had to learn from the experienced players. Today, I’m the one who has to help the coach and my team-mates. But football in Serie A and Serie D is still football — the dynamics are similar.” Off the pitch, his impact is equally significant. He speaks about changing the team’s mentality, ensuring they approach everything professionally, whether in training or during matches.
The Brazilian admits the challenge of adapting quickly. “If I played here for a whole year, things might have gone even better. Being here for three months is not easy, even if you are a high-level player.” Yet his joy for the game remains undimmed. “Football is joy for me: when the ball is at my feet, I’m happy. I still have a young mentality and I don’t want to grow old. We’re here together to learn and laugh, and that motivates me every day.”
That attitude has won over fans throughout the division. Costa reveals that even opposition supporters sometimes applaud him when he gets the ball in away games, expecting something special. It is a testament to his enduring quality and the unique story unfolding in Verona. While his initial plan was to finish the season and move to Dubai, promotion could change everything. Laterza hints: “The main objective is to finish the campaign as strongly as possible and give everything to achieve promotion. After that, we’ll see.”
For a club that was declared bankrupt and started again from the very bottom, the rise carries deep meaning. The reunion with professional status would complete a remarkable comeback. Douglas Costa, the Champions League winner accustomed to sold-out stadiums, is now fighting in front of limited crowds for a prize that feels just as significant. His presence alone symbolises the ambitions of the resurrected Chievo. Balotelli and Dubai can wait — right now, all eyes are on one more victory and a return to the elite tiers of Italian football.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.