Bari without certainties, "pillars" needed to be ambitious

BARI - There is no consolidated base: the real risk is to start from scratch once again. The chaos of Serie B also involves Bari, which in theory would have had at least the advantage of taking advantage of the time deriving from a season that ended far too early, given the burning exclusion from the playoffs. It is difficult to orient the choices: too many cadet teams are still involved in the promotion play-offs, just as the fate of Brescia, Frosinone, Salernitana and Sampdoria is wrapped in a giant question mark due to the blocking of the playouts. Concrete, for example, is the red and white interest in Guido Angelozzi who could represent the strong name around which to rebuild the technical area, but the Sicilian manager is currently blocked at the Ciociaro club. While waiting to determine the club's top management (the owners themselves are evaluating whether to open up to the entry of a new partner), some dialogue has been started for some players: between those on dry loan or with options and those whose contracts are expiring, there is really no shortage of work.

SHAKEN FOUNDATIONS Mattia Maita, Ahmad Benali, Alessandro Tripaldelli, Gaston Pereiro, Marco Pissardo, Francesco Vicari and Mehdi Dorval. Here are the fully owned players with a contract that goes beyond next June 30: there are only seven, but the even more worrying aspect is that perhaps only two can be considered pillars of a project, namely Maita and Benali. The Messina native and the Libyan have constituted the most reliable hinge of the midfield: both are tied until 2026, even if the option of an extension for a further season could soon be implemented for the former, while the latter, who would have been expiring, has just earned his permanence thanks to the high number of appearances, useful for triggering the automatic extension. Both, however, are over thirty: Maita will turn 31 on July 29, Benali is 32. The others are a puzzle: Tripaldelli was an extra, Pereiro an unfortunate January reinforcement, Pissardo can be at most the "assistant" of a starting goalkeeper, Vicari is coming off a terrible season, while Dorval could receive tempting offers even from Serie A, by virtue of a sparkling first part of the championship that was not matched, however, by an equally convincing performance in the second half of the season. Ultimately, there are no certainties.

FOUR EXPIRING In addition to the third goalkeeper Davide Marfella (his permanence could also be evaluated, even if it would weigh on the over 21 list), a decision is urgently needed on Raffaele Pucino, Nicola Bellomo and Raffaele Maiello. The numbers would speak in favor of the Neapolitan defender who has collected 30 appearances (and one goal) in the championship: despite his 34 years, due to his experience and profession he could still be useful. The use of Bellomo is much more limited (19 appearances, one goal, one assist, but only 511' on the pitch) who, however, from his goal the values ​​of Bari, as well as the status of "flag" that would not weigh on the over list: evaluations are underway, but the position of the playmaker is uncertain. On the other hand, Maiello's experience will end (just 15 appearances) after three and a half years, a promotion from C to B and the leap to A only just missed.

THE LOAN ARMY And here is the very long list of temporary players. Boris Radunovic (although with some uncertainty) would deserve confirmation to give continuity to the delicate role of goalkeeper, but the 28-year-old Serbian owned by Cagliari aims at least at a top club in Serie B: if Bari does not put together a top team, they will evaluate other options. More within reach is the purchase of Valerio Mantovani from Ascoli (one of the few to have convinced), just as the privileged axis with Napoli could "give birth" at least to the renewal of the loan of Nosa Obaretin. There is a large number of players who will require careful evaluation: Andrea Oliveri (on whom there is a right of redemption from Atalanta who, however, holds the option to counter-redeem) has shown undoubted potential obscured by a few too many injuries, Nicholas Bonfanti (owned by Pisa) has only scored two goals, but at 23 years old he remains one of the most promising strikers in Serie B, Giulio Maggiore (belongs to Salernitana) has had an impact in terms of goals (three in 12 appearances), but still seems far from the brilliance shown at Spezia, while the application of Costantino Favasuli (he is from Fiorentina: with the same formula as Oliveri) has been appreciated, but he must grow on a technical level, just as the contribution of Nunzio Lella (on whom there is a right of redemption from Venezia) has been inconsistent: the 24-year-old from Santeramo would push for another chance in the team where he grew up.

An opportunity could be represented by Andrea Favilli: on paper a "top" who will finish his contract with Genoa on June 30: the centre forward (author of five goals) would like to try again with the Galletti, but his physical condition remains an unknown. Andrija Novakovich (Venice card) would fit within the economic parameters, but the American, despite his impeccable spirit of sacrifice) brings with him just three goals. The farewell to Coli Saco is a given (he will return to Naples), while Lorenco Simic is likely to leave, who has only occasionally shown signs of full reliability. Cesare Felletti and Kevin Lasagna deserve a separate discussion, namely the players who, due to their curriculum, experience and class, should have guaranteed the leap in quality: the Uruguayan, however, has shown his talent to a minimal extent and seems inevitably destined to return to Cremonese. The 32-year-old striker from Mantua (on loan from Verona), although he was the team's top scorer with seven goals, has not proved to be an added value: it seems he has expressed the desire to stay, but currently the quality/price ratio (he earns almost a million in wages) would advise against the investment.

LITTLE MATERIAL AMONG THOSE WHO RETURN The players returning from loans will also need to be evaluated: Emmanuele Matino (zero appearances until January) was relegated to Cittadella and will leave again, Ismael Achik did not shine at Ascoli and then found himself partially at Cerignola (in the running for the C playoffs), Giacomo Manzari did not even mesh at Carrarese, the coach will decide on Giuseppe Sibilli (a few flashes at Sampdoria: he might have to play the playout): if Moreno Longo were to stay, it would be difficult to imagine his reinstatement. New experiences abroad could await Aurelian Scheidler (now at Dender) and Karlo Lulic (at Sarajevo), but for both (given their contracts expire in 2026) work will be done on a permanent transfer. The same goes for Andrea D'Errico who had a spell at Sporting Dubai. Finally, the youngsters: the various Lops and Colangiuli (both at Sorrento), Mane and Onofrietti (at Team Altamura), as well as Akpa-Chukwu have not sent signals that would make them ready for the impact with Serie B. Just as, despite greater continuity than the others, Faggi has not taken off at Gubbio. There is little to draw from, therefore. But living another “year zero” would be truly intolerable.