Bari, eight survivors in the team: revolution in sight

At least 17 players to buy. And the number could increase further if someone from the very small group of full ownership players were to leave. A mammoth task awaits Bari on the market. There is no point in beating around the bush: it will be another revolution. The past year has not only confirmed the failure of the pre-established objective (reaching the playoffs) on a sporting level, but has also left no concrete foundations on which to build. Entire departments need to be rethought and rebuilt: the only advantage is that, at least, the number of those who do not fit into the project and must necessarily be sold is not large. But the fact remains that a truly high quantity of incoming movements is needed. And to think that the summer retreat (almost certainly still in Roccaraso) is about three weeks away. The risk of starting preparation with a less than experimental group is concrete.

Considering the squad from the last championship (without taking into account the players who will return from loans and are unlikely to be part of the new project), there are only eight players who are fully owned and a good part of them even seem to be in the balance. At the moment, the almost certain confirmations could only concern Maita, Benali and Pucino who should soon make official the renewal of his contract until 2026. It has already started for Benali thanks to an option linked to the number of appearances, just as for Maita a clause has been exercised to extend the contract until 2027. The others do not have permanence in their pocket: the second goalkeeper Pissardo has some requests in C (he has made himself available to Arezzo) and could leave to play for a chance as a starter. Vicari is coming off the worst season in red and white and could choose other destinations to relaunch himself. Tripaldelli has been used sparingly and will most likely seek greater continuity, just as he has not convinced Gaston Pereiro: the future of the Uruguayan attacking midfielder will depend a lot on the formation that Caserta chooses. If the playmaker is not foreseen, he could leave. Dorval, finally. The 24-year-old Franco-Algerian will almost certainly leave, generating a capital gain to reinvest: Ajax has sounded him out, some Arab clubs have asked for information, but now a sprint between Sassuolo and Cagliari is looming. Bari hopes for a transfer that will yield between two and three million.

However, it seems that the Calabrian coach is oriented to work on the 4-3-3, the playing system that characterized the beginning of his journey on the bench, although he later veered towards other formations, up to the 3-5-2 used in Catanzaro last year. First of all, a new goalkeeper will have to be found given the difficulties in confirming Boris Radunovic. Discussions are underway with Francesco Bardi, 33, released after his experience at Reggiana: a two-year deal was proposed, and the goalkeeper from Livorno seems willing to accept. It is essential to stock up on full-backs: Caserta would like to get back Tommaso Cassandro, 25, a right-back who played in Catanzaro (32 appearances, one goal), but is owned by Como. Two ideas also on the left: Niccolò Corrado, 25, about to be released from Brescia and Edoardo Pieragnolo, 22 from Sassuolo. The central battery also needs to be rethought: still at Brescia, they are looking at Andrea Cistana, 28 years old, and Andrea Papetti, 22 years old. From Monopoli instead, the 24 year old Anthony Angileri could arrive. But in this sector there will really be a lot of work to do.

The nerve center will need to be significantly strengthened with fresh players who can give Maita and Benali, both over thirty, a chance to breathe. The return of Nunzio Lella is possible, for whom discussions have begun with Venezia, who own his registration rights. There is great interest in Aldo Florenzi, 23, a midfielder from Cosenza who can also act as a pure center back. Attention should also be paid to two young players from Perugia, who have been followed several times: the Spanish playmaker Joselito (21 years old) and especially Giovanni Giunti (20 years old). Also being observed is the Argentine Gallo Capomaggio, 27 years old from Cerignola.

If the formation is 4-3-3, at least three centre forwards and four attacking wingers will be needed. The signing of Favilli, whose contract with Genoa will expire, cannot be ruled out, just as it would not be bad to have Bonfanti back from Pisa. Ideas could also be Moncini (29 years old) and Borrelli (25) who will be freed from Brescia. It could also be the right time to hook Moro, a 24-year-old from Sassuolo with whom we could also talk about Flavio Russo (20 years old, returning from a loan at Cesena), but above all to try for Mulattieri (25 years old). Daniele Montevago, 22 years old from Perugia, is also liked. The battery of attacking wingers still needs to be built. Concrete steps have been taken for Dominic Valvassori, a talented 19-year-old who has shown himself in the Atalanta Under 23. Convincing reports have also arrived on Enrico Oviszach, 24, from Crotone and Alessandro Seghetti, 21, from Perugia. A greater certainty, however, would be Nicholas Pierini, 26, from Sassuolo. So many ideas, then. But now it is essential to start making them concrete.