Bari, Sibilli's second life: Caserta bets on the playmaker

Giuseppe Sibilli will be a resource. Not an element to be evaluated in retreat and even less a returning traveler, ready to repack his suitcase. Fabio Caserta himself has formulated this thought by stopping the possible new departure of the Neapolitan playmaker. Yes, because the new coach of Bari is convinced that he can focus on the boy from Campania and relaunch one of the technically most experienced elements of a numerically reduced squad. And so, all the conditions really seem to be there to start Sibilli's second life in Bari.

In the very difficult 2023-24 season, the attacking midfielder just taken on loan from Pisa proved to be decisive. An attack in deep crisis, decimated by a thousand injuries, relied completely on his creativity and his shots: loaded from a central role, in his first real experience in a big place, the Neapolitan boy gave the best of himself. For the first time in his career he reached and exceeded double figures in goals in Serie B: eleven goals in the regular season, all decisive for the final result, punctually decisive to hook the fourth-last place useful to play for salvation in the playout, just when the Apulian boat seemed on the verge of sinking. And then, another flash: in the return match of the play-off to hold on to the cadet league, to certify the 3-0 in Terni and chase away ghosts and fears. A right of redemption of 600 thousand euros was hanging over his card. In the moment of greatest despair, president Luigi De Laurentiis promised him that if he stayed he would buy him outright. The promise was duly kept last summer: Sibilli was acquired by Pisa and signed a substantial three-year contract until 2027. He was supposed to be the symbol of the Galletti's rebirth. Instead, just when his path seemed to have reached the long-awaited turning point, he did not pass the exam with flying colors. In the first half of last year, in fact, he did not get into gear: few flashes, few convincing performances, just one goal scored, moreover from a penalty against Cittadella. So in January, here is the most painful decision: to give up the most valuable piece of the summer transfer campaign who goes on loan to Sampdoria. In his place in red and white, instead, comes Gaston Pereiro who, however, turns out to be a shooting star, performing even less than his predecessor. Sibilli, on the other hand, is one of the few to stay afloat in the Blucerchiati tidal wave and scores again in the return playout, once again securing an unexpected salvation and avoiding the debacle of another fallen noble. The Ligurian club would have gladly kept him. Which, however, has not resolved the serious corporate problems related to the methods of a debt restoration not respected. And so, "Peppe" starts again from Bari.

Caserta has clear ideas on how to use him: in a 4-3-3 that will have dynamic positions, Sibilli will start as an offensive left winger. This does not mean that he will be relegated to the wing, in a position that he has often suffered in the past. Sibilli will be free to move inside, create, communicate with the centre forward and go for the conclusion. Not only that. In the perspective of a structure that can evolve into a 4-2-3-1, he will be the element appointed to climb into the preferred role of playmaker. A precious pawn, therefore. The rest, however, will be up to him: because this time he will have to demonstrate that he is not only the lifeline for those at risk of drowning, but an added value to look up. Sibilli would never have wanted to lose the Bari bet. Last January he left because he understood that he was no longer as important as before, but Bari has remained within him and he can't wait to win it back. With another two years of commitment and at a mature age (he will turn 29 on August 7) ​​he can demonstrate that the second life in red and white can be much more rewarding than the first.

In the meantime, yesterday the first trio of new faces arrived in the city. Goalkeeper Matteo Cerofolini, 26, acquired permanently from Frosinone, right back Lorenzo Dickman, 28, and centre forward Gabriele Moncini, 29, (both purchased after Brescia failed to register in Serie B) will sign their respective contracts and undergo medical tests in the next few hours. Midfielders Matthias Verreth (also from Brescia) and Riccardo Pagano (from Roma) will also arrive shortly, as will the young attacking winger Emanuele Rao who will arrive on loan from Napoli. The return of defender Nosa Obaretin, wanted by Empoli, is also being discussed with the Neapolitan club. Alternatively, the Galletti are following Lorenzo Lucchesi, 22, owned by Fiorentina and fresh from his experience in Serie B at Reggiana.