The retreat begins: Martino restarts with the Ischian block. Talamo goes to Acerrana, Rizzuto goes to Serie C.

Ischia Calcio has restarted its engines ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 Serie D championship. After an intense and transformative season, the Gialloblù club has chosen to restart with a project that has been revamped in almost every respect: new management, a fresh coaching staff, and a largely revamped squad. At the heart of the restart, however, remains the "Ischia block," the core of the team's identity and a point of reference for coach Alessio Martino, who has been called upon to lead this new direction.

The coach will have to work with a group that, while rich in potential, will require time and effort to find the right balance. Cohesion, as often happens in these situations, will be one of the main challenges of the first half of the season. And it is in this context that the club's decision to hold the entire preseason training camp on the island should be understood, avoiding trips to the mainland that could have disrupted the rhythm and increased logistical costs.

The official start of training is scheduled for July 28th: this will be the date of the first training camp of the season. The initial preparation phase will continue until August 12th or 13th at the latest, when the group will enjoy a short break before reconvening—between August 17th and 18th—to get into the heart of the second half of the preseason. This will be the time when the coaching staff and players will have to intensify their work on both tactical and athletic levels, with the goal of being ready for the new Serie D.

Meanwhile, the club and its fans are also focusing on the imminent group draw. In the coming days—and in any case by early August—the Interregional Department is expected to announce the groupings for the 2025/26 season. Ischia hopes to return to Group G, the Sardinian-Lazio league that hosted the Gialloblù upon their return to Serie D. After a season spent competing against Apulian opponents, the club—led by president Pino Taglialatela—has expressed a desire to once again compete against teams from Lazio and Sardinia, teams that are technically strong and often brimming with young talent ready to shine.

Meanwhile, there's no shortage of outgoings. Some of last season's key players have already found new positions, and the possibility of some finding themselves as opponents in the coming months isn't ruled out. Above all, Nicola Talamo: after a positive two-year spell on the island, the striker has chosen to start over at Acerrana, an ambitious club that could cross paths with Ischia again. A potential derby would inevitably put him in the spotlight.

Dario Giacomarro has signed with Gela Calcio, while Peppe Mattera—a legend of the island's football—has settled in nearby Forio, in the Eccellenza league. Gabriele Pastore has chosen Santegidiese, where he will reunite with two familiar faces from the Gialloblu scene: sporting director Lubrano and coach Buonocore. Alessandro Patalano, on the other hand, has accepted the offer of Treviso, a historic club ready to relaunch itself on the national scene.

Special mention goes to Alfonso Rizzuto: one of the brightest moments of last season was his permanent acquisition of the young talent from Serie C club Audace Cerignola. This well-deserved promotion is a testament to the quality of the work done and Ischia's ability to develop its players.

Between departures and new signings, local confirmations and renewed ambitions, Ischia Calcio is preparing for a challenging yet exciting season. The path is clear: now it will take hard work, patience, and unity of purpose to build, step by step, a solid and competitive identity.