BARI – «Bari and Pisa are in my heart, I would never have wanted this intersection to be so decisive…». Alessandro Mannini is among the most loved goalkeepers in the history of Bari: 98 appearances from 1987 to ’90, leaving his mark on a promotion to Serie A and salvation in the top division. In Pisa, however, he spent a “life”: 220 tokens as a footballer from 1978 to ’87, then another nine years (from 1996 to 2005) as a goalkeeping coach.
«I will watch the match, but really with my heart in turmoil», says the former Viareggio goalkeeper. «It should have been a different ranking match and in those cases you suffer less because you still fight for winning goals. Instead, now it hurts to see Bari in great difficulty: but how could this happen? Maintaining Serie B is now an essential obligation: I cannot imagine a relegation which would be devastating after all the effort to re-emerge after the recent failure. It’s a truly complicated season, marked by evidently less than serene management. At this juncture, however, it is necessary to use all the energy we have to achieve the goal of permanence.”
Bari-Pisa will mark the debut of Federico Giampaolo, the fourth coach of the red and white championship. What do you think?
«That the change on the bench will not be the trigger to change pace. Federico Giampaolo is a very good person and I wish him to help Bari. But he was preceded by fine professionals: Mignani obtained promotion to Serie B and came close to making the jump to Serie A, while the careers of Marino and Iachini speak for themselves, yes these are coaches who have won a lot in Serie B. Yet, the team has never found continuity, performance and, perhaps, not even a real identity. Changing so much, in the end, didn’t pay off. In this sense, the choice of Pisa was more sensible as, despite having been scheduled for a top championship, it did not relieve Aquilani of his duties, despite the fact that for large stretches of the season he had a path very similar to that of Bari. Now other components will count: pride, fury, the ferocious determination to avoid a disaster in such a large place because for every player of the Apulian club it would be an indelible stain on their career.”
What kind of race are you expecting?
«Many say that Pisa can be calmer, but I don’t really believe it. The playoffs are considered an even minimal objective given the investments made: of course, the team has repeatedly given rise to fears of sinking to the bottom and perhaps now has found a bit of stability after moving away from the danger zone. But that doesn’t mean that the points up for grabs won’t matter for the Nerazzuri. For Bari, however, it is the first of five finals: it is truly forbidden to make mistakes. I think the red and whites will display great aggression and the skill will have to be channeling it in the right way, without falling into anxiety and nervousness. Pisa, on the other hand, is a technical team: when they are on a matchday they can create difficulties for anyone, but they have never had too much continuity.”
Have you got an idea of what the survival rate might be?
«There are still many direct clashes which, inevitably, will lower the threshold necessary to lock down the category. But Serie B is unpredictable: those who are apparently in difficulty can succeed in tripping up the big teams. Bari will not be able to afford calculations for the moment because they would currently be condemned to the playout. The next two matches will be fundamental because after the match against Pisa the match against Cosenza will follow: six points would be needed to really breathe.”
As a goalkeeper, how do you evaluate the Brenno tournament?
«The Brazilian boy has no demerit in general and comes from a school that now continuously produces many excellent goalkeepers, it is no longer like in the past, when it was said that Brazil had champions in every sector except between the posts. Personally, he still prefers our school. The problem, in the end, is another: a footballer who comes from such a different reality and has to occupy such a delicate role can inevitably experience some difficulties. Did Bari really have time to wait for him? It is clear that his performance was not up to the level of a luxury predecessor like Caprile.”
In the last round Pissardo was preferred: is a run-off in goal sustainable in this delicate phase?
“I would say no. Football is constantly evolving, but the goalkeeper must continue to represent an element of continuity: he is the only one on the pitch who has a global vision, he must be a safe guide for his teammates. In the case of Bari, the technical values now count relatively. Brenno is not an unknown: he has a respectable CV. If he reacts with character to the exclusion, perhaps he has greater experience for such a particular situation. If, however, he has lost a bit of security, then it is appropriate for someone who is now ready for anything to play. Because it is the only component that is needed at the moment: being able to “parry” emotions, stay clear, try to determine. The points will also have to come from the goalkeeper.”
Bari fans have contested for a long time during the season, but are ready to unite for the defense of Serie B.
«I had no doubts: the red and white fans are wonderful. I understand the feelings of those who were one step away from A and are experiencing a year so far from their ambitions. But now a common effort is needed: Serie B must remain the basis on which to build a future in the top division. Bari deserves it: humiliation must be avoided at all costs.”
