Bari, the big moves in midfield: huge gaps in the key area

BARI - Big moves in midfield. With three weeks to go until the start of the season, Bari finds itself with huge gaps in its key area. As part of a radical overhaul, the club decided to part ways with Mattia Maita and Ahmad Benali, last season's two unshakeable starters. But now, almost everything needs to be rebuilt. With new pillars and plenty of ideas. Paying particular attention to the numerical factor. Because if new manager Fabio Caserta truly wants to work with a 4-3-3 formation (with variations on 4-2-3-1), then no fewer than six players will be needed. And today, pending further official confirmation, the only player immediately available is Riccardo Pagano, the 21-year-old acquired from Roma: an attacking midfielder who is currently training to become a fully-fledged midfielder.

VERRETH'S DRAMA AND BRAUNODER'S ARRIVAL: Matthias Verreth was the first choice to lead the defense. The talented Belgian playmaker was given the keys to lead the team. Today, however, the 27-year-old must deal with the family tragedy of the passing of his 14-month-old son. Deputy sporting director Valerio Di Cesare, current captain Francesco Vicari, and coach Fabio Caserta attended the funeral in Holland yesterday. This is testament to the extraordinary support the club and team have for the Belgian. In the meantime, he has been placed on indefinite leave of absence: it's impossible to say when he'll find the strength to return to his profession. Bari will wait for him, but in the meantime, they've had to be a bit cautious. This justifies their swift swoop for Matthias Braunoder, a 22-year-old Austrian who can play both as a midfielder and a full-back. Despite some interference from other clubs, the deal is expected to be finalized in the next few hours: Braunoder will be acquired from Como on a dry loan, with no option to buy. Left-back Marco Sala, 26, will join the Como club on a permanent deal, signing a two-year contract. It's expected, however, that at least three more midfielders will be needed, perhaps even four if Verreth doesn't return soon.

HENDERSON SOAP NOVEL The 29-year-old Scotsman remains the primary target: the Apulian club continues to express their full willingness to meet the player's demands, who began his Italian adventure in Bari in 2018. In recent days, it seemed a significant opening had emerged, but no significant progress has been made. There remains a gap both financially and, above all, regarding the player's ambitions, as he aims to remain in Serie A or a top European league. Discussions will continue, however, in the hope of reaching an agreement.

THOSE RETURNING HORSES Meanwhile, two players who have been key figures in the recent red and white past are being kept under observation. Nunzio Lella, first and foremost. The 25-year-old from Santeramo is desperate for another opportunity at the team where he grew up and where he played with mixed success last year. However, a new loan from Venezia is out of the question, given his contract expires in 2026: he must be acquired permanently, but the clubs are currently lacking an agreement. The gap, however, is not unbridgeable. Likewise, Leonardo Benedetti is being kept under observation: the 25-year-old, one of the key players in the 2022-23 season, is at Sampdoria and has struggled considerably over the last two seasons, partly due to a series of physical issues. For this reason, the Apulian club is holding off on making the move. Yet, if the right conditions were created, Benedetti would still be the ideal midfielder due to his movement, physicality, and ability to run into the space. That's why he should still be considered.

IDEAS OLD AND NEW Francesco Gelli, a 29-year-old from Frosinone, remains under special observation: he's popular because he excels both as a midfielder and as a playmaker, but so far nothing has progressed beyond a few discussions with the Ciociari. Giovanni Giunti, a 20-year-old from Perugia, has been closely monitored: he combines pace and technique, and could also be a good option to complete the defense with an up-and-coming player. However, the main deal now concerns Alessandro Sersanti, a 23-year-old midfielder, coming off a strong season with Reggiana, but owned by Juventus, who could also use him for the Next Gen. Sporting directors Giuseppe Magalini and Valerio Di Cesare have made early moves and are now facing stiff competition from lower-league teams, including Monza. The goal is to close the deal quickly: a permanent purchase is also being considered. Further news on this matter could arrive in the next few hours. On the other hand, the midfield represents an absolute priority: time is no longer an absolute ally given the amount of work to be done.