Caserta: "I want a Bari with personality and courage."

Fabio Caserta is trying to stoke the flames to fuel passion and good intentions in his Bari team, which today (3:00 PM, San Nicola) hosts second-place Cesena, led by former manager Michele Mignani. The Bari coach immediately takes a look at Romagnoli: "They're a strong team, with a clear playing identity. A very positive start to the season demonstrates this. We're working on concepts to find clarity and balance, especially when we have possession. During matches, there are moments and moments. It doesn't matter how the victory arrives, what matters is that it happens."

This also calls into question a depressed and angry atmosphere. The banners from the Curva Nord and the protests during the match against Mantua don't sway the coach: "It's not my place to judge the fans," Caserta continues, "we've known about this climate since the beginning of the season. On a personal level, I always feel called into question. As I've been saying since August, we need to rekindle the enthusiasm that's now lacking, making the most of it starting this Sunday. I need to focus on the pitch. Focus only on performance and results, which right now aren't up to par with the fans. The match is what matters, more than what happens during the week."

"We're coming off an intense week of work. It was also useful for the recovery of someone who wasn't fit against Mantua. Cesena," he returns to his opponent, "is led by a great person, an excellent coach. He had a very important run in Bari. He's still doing well. When you've been working at a club for more than a year, and with so many players from the previous year, you can give a lot. I know what Mignani can bring to Cesena. The facts prove him right."

Results that, on the balance of things, didn't come in Bari: "When you replace nineteen players, everything becomes a little more complicated. It always takes a bit of time. We had many other problems at the start of the season. We need to shorten the time to show a fearless team that imposes its game and knows how to defend compactly. If we don't get a result, everything becomes more difficult. A hard-fought win was and still is needed. Now we'll try to show that we can do something else."

In short, Caserta was a combination of willpower and faith: "I would make the same personal choice again. Because I was convinced. I knew the initial difficulties, even if I didn't think they were so serious. When I came to Bari, I spoke with the club and decided to acquire their own players and replace some who had been here for a few years. In all things, there is a beginning and an end. If I could do it again, I would make the same choice."

A strategic stance that goes hand in hand with a calm state of mind: "I'm positive even when the results aren't coming and the performances aren't up to par. What's missing? We need to have personality; at certain moments in the game, courage is needed. I train experienced players. I expect a lot from them, especially in certain phases, when the patterns fall apart and individual play is needed. The boys have these qualities. I understand that it's not easy to express yourself when you're booed. We need to move beyond that. Creating enthusiasm is up to us alone. Against Venezia, for example, we left to applause despite losing. People value the performance, not just the result. I'm taking this pre-match calmly. I know we can get through this."

Perhaps helped by the more talented players: "We expect a lot from Gytkjaer. He knows he has to give something more, something he hasn't given so far. He's a mature player and needs to feel the trust of each of us. A striker just needs a spark to get going again. Cerri's exclusion is purely a technical choice. Partipilo also wants to give a lot to the team and the city. He needs to make simple plays. He doesn't always do that. He's been unlucky. If he scores in Reggio Emilia, his season will change. Strikers thrive on goals. He's a player who can and must make the difference, even if he comes off the bench."

"When I've played aggressive, proactive football in the past," the coach commented, "I've sometimes given the opposition space. You have to find some ways to do it. If you stay deeper, you have to do something else, but with the same conviction. Therefore, balance is needed. Ball recovery needs to be managed better."