Bari far from Longo? "Yes" to Magalini-Di Cesare

BARI - Something is moving, or so it seems. Despite the general attention at Filmauro still being largely focused on Napoli, champion of Italy, and on the uncertain future of Antonio Conte... it seems that there was time for some informal chat about the situation at Bari. In Bari, yes. They don't win championships here, and let's say that's okay. But the emotional desert that has been felt in recent times deserves serious in-depth analysis. And quite quick, too. The last two seasons have been a crying shame. The first, almost comical and not only because of a relegation avoided thanks to a series of strokes of luck. This one that just flew by... no less disturbing despite different numbers and a decidedly more competitive general level. The ending, mamma mia, what a disaster. Pure confusion.

Something seems to be moving, we were saying. And what, until a few days ago, seemed only evaluations today take on the contours of initial positions. The impression is that the first brick of the new competitive season is called Giuseppe Magalini. The Bari market man, tied to the red and white club until June 2026, will continue the work he began, laboriously, a year ago trying to build a group with solid foundations. Fewer thirty-year-olds to relaunch, perhaps, and more operations that can facilitate the capitalization process. Fundamental to continue to combine sustainability and, possibly, to raise the bar of ambition. In short, capital gains are welcome (the real ones, of course...) as long as you have the ability to reinvest with the aim of aiming for important goals.

Alongside Magalini there will still be Valerio Di Cesare with a year more experience and motivation to "ball". The former captain continues to travel around Italy watching matches of all categories. On Sunday evening he traveled to Bologna-Bari, very late at night, returning from the play-off semifinal between Cremonese and Juve Stabia. It is no mystery that money and, therefore, budgets make the difference. But without ideas and skills you don't go far, on the contrary. Di Cesare remains a resource, even as a "second". Even more so in light of a relationship, the one with Magalini, that time should have consolidated. Everyone knows that, in the event of the farewell of the Venetian manager, Valerio would never have agreed to be someone else's deputy.

The now very likely confirmation of Magalini and Di Cesare complicates, and not a little, Longo's stay in Bari. And it's not just a purely technical evaluation. A year ago, the focus was firmly on the Turin coach who, not by chance, signed a solid three-year contract with an option in favor of the club to further extend the contract for another twelve months. Longo is not a last-comer, there can be no doubt about that. His possible farewell has other roots. Let's say, motivations that call into question professional relationships. The communication factor has proven divisive and, in the long run, decisive in terms of divorce. Different approaches, different strategies. Those who make the team are convinced they have put together a competitive system. But if those who coach imply different things... obviously there is a short circuit. On the one hand, those who spoke of a certain ambition, on the other, a profile that could not be lower. Starting again together, objectively, would be half madness. Provided that we can rewind the thread by laying new foundations for collaboration. It seems that things are going differently, however. And that, therefore, Bari is preparing to begin yet another cycle. A new coach and a brand new squad. The antithesis of the meaning of the word project.