Tovalieri shakes up Bari: "He's winning the people back."

The year was 1995. The thirty-third and penultimate matchday of the Serie A championship fell on May 28th. It was a memorable day for Bari, who managed to breach San Siro by beating AC Milan 1-0. This was the last victory for the red and whites away to the Rossoneri. The winner was "Cobra" Sandro Tovalieri, with a second-half goal (63rd minute), securing the final three points of a season that had also included another victory at the same stadium, but against Inter, a 2-1 victory on matchday six on October 16th, 1994. Much water has passed under the bridge since then, with the red and whites and the red and blacks having not crossed paths for fourteen years. This temporary absence will be interrupted next Sunday for the opening match of the Coppa Italia "FrecciaRossa." A Milan-Bari match on the horizon will be very different from the many previous meetings between the two teams. This contingent situation is largely tied to Bari's current predicament, mired in Serie B, having even struggled through the lower leagues due to bankruptcy. The current situation speaks of a team significantly revamped after the arrival of Coach Caserta on the bench in place of Longo. And of a season ready to begin with several question marks regarding the fans' expectations (most of whom are skeptical of the club's intentions, as evidenced by the decline in season ticket holders) and the goals to be achieved. There are many issues on the table, around which, ideally, Sandro Tovalieri sits.

Tovalieri, let's start with the past. What memories do you have of that goal against AC Milan thirty years ago?

I have a wonderful memory because it was the first time in history that Bari had won in Milan against AC Milan. Winning and scoring the winning goal in a major stadium was crucial, as it allowed us to secure survival with a matchday to spare. I collected a cross from Gautieri and beat the keeper with a right-footed effort. There were thousands of fans, always in large numbers, especially at large stadiums like the San Siro and the Olimpico. It was a great feeling, on par with my brace in the 3-5 first-leg defeat at the San Nicola. AC Milan at the time was an unbeatable team. We brought great joy to the city and the Bari fans. San Siro was a lucky place for me, as I also scored one of the two goals that helped us defeat Inter. I also won games there for Roma. Playing in that lions' den, against such strong opponents, was never easy. Against Bari, Fontana was also superb.

Speaking of fans, a contrasting statistic stands out. There will be five thousand in Milan, while there are currently just 1,400 season ticket holders. What do you think of this paradox?

The low number of season ticket holders is a source of great disappointment, disappointment, and concern. I believe this is one of the first times the fans have not responded to season ticket subscriptions. This open war against the club persists. I think it will continue for some time. The fans are a bit tired. Every year, playing in Serie B is already too much for them. It's even worse to do so without any goals, even risking relegation to Serie C. In Bari, they live on bread and football. We're talking about a club that, even in Serie B or Serie C, if you're doing well, can bring thirty thousand people to the stadium. But if there's disappointment, everything falls apart. This data gives us pause for thought, while still maintaining the love for the shirt. Perhaps if they were to achieve some good results early on, the trend could change. This dissatisfaction is causing low attendance in a stadium where the fans' enthusiasm is palpable. Let's hope the team doesn't suffer, as it has nothing to do with the situation that has arisen. It's one thing to play in front of a few close friends, and another in front of packed stands. The initial schedule, then, doesn't seem the easiest to me. Let's hope we start well, otherwise it'll be difficult to get out of it. Maybe it's a good thing to meet the teams most likely to win the final straight away. They might not be in top form, and you can fight. If you do poorly, it's a mess. If you do well, you can go from disappointment to enthusiasm and play a cutting-edge championship.

What are your impressions of the transfer market purchases made so far?

I think if you make so many changes every year, it's always going to be tough. You just need to change a few pieces, keeping the right structure. Rebuilding a team with so many new players is never easy. We've lost key players like Benali, Maita, Maiello, and Dorval. They're all difficult players to replace. However, important players like Partipilo have arrived. I'm happy for him since he fulfills my personal desire to return home. Bari needs to get back together with the new coach. Usually, it takes a few months to settle in. The months pass and the matches become more frequent. If you're lucky enough to do well, fine. Otherwise, if you mess up a few games early on, especially in a place like Bari, it becomes difficult to get out of it later on.

Did you follow the preseason friendlies? How do you see Bari for next season?

Friendlies are a waste of time. You face teams that are already packed. Even 20-0 wins or 3-2 defeats against Casarano mean little. These are matches that serve more than anything to get into shape and get going, as well as to test strategies. It's always better to win to find enthusiasm. I see a Bari team built to have a good season. But there's no doubt that they need a few more players. Up front, let's hope Partipilo delivers. We'll see what Vicari's future holds. There are some missing pieces. In the predictions, the red and whites can't be included among those who will fight to get promoted to Serie A. However, Serie B always leaves the door open to surprises. That happened to us when we won the championship. We had a lot of young players, we started well, and we achieved something unexpected.

Finally, a thought for his former teammate and friend Igor Protti, who is going through a difficult time.

This news has left me so sad. Besides being teammates, we're truly brothers. Very close. We talk often. We came to Bari together. I cried for days when I heard about his illness. I love him so much. He's going through a difficult time. We all hope he can come out of it and celebrate it even more than when he was a player. This is the most important and challenging match to score the most beautiful goal of his life. I know his strength. He'll definitely win.