Ginestra on Sorrento’s start as Catania and Bari seek recovery

In a lively interview, coach Ciro Ginestra praised Sorrento’s flawless five‑match run that left them on maximum points, while noting that Catania and Salernitana have slipped below expectations and that Bari, only three months after dropping from Serie B, sit on ten points despite playing without fans. He said, “No, absolutely not. I think there is work, a serious project and a coach who knows the category well. It is a team made to measure, very good for Lega Pro. So a lot of work: we only have to applaud Sorrento, because they are doing a truly extraordinary campaign.” He added that the long season will be broken into mini‑tournaments, allowing teams to recover at different stages.

The coach also highlighted Potenza as a side that “is doing very well”, crediting the appointment of Ivan Tisci as a key factor. By contrast, he admitted that Catania and Salernitana have “disappointed expectations”, suggesting that the length of the Lega Pro campaign will give them time to turn things around.

Regarding Salernitana, Ginestra noted that the club has undergone many changes and that the city’s demanding nature forces the team to constantly strive for improvement. He explained that “the mentality of Lega Pro is acquired by playing many seasons”, and that Salernitana will need additional resources to meet the expectations of a passionate fanbase.

Ginestra praised Catania for securing an “important victory on a difficult ground such as Picerno”. He pointed out that the win demonstrates the club’s potential, even if recent performances have fallen short of early hopes.

Bari’s challenges without fans

Turning to Bari, the coach observed that the club’s ten‑point tally is impressive given that three months ago they were relegated from Serie B and forced to restart from scratch. He highlighted the impact of playing without supporters at San Nicola, saying, “It makes a difference, because Bari, Salerno and Catania are incredible cities. The lack of crowd pressure creates problems that we cannot fully understand, between ownership, fans and organised groups.”

Ginestra also commended Massimo Rastelli for navigating a “very difficult environment” and building an amalgam of squad and staff despite the absence of a crowd. He believes that once the situation stabilises, the passionate southern supporters will return to fill the stadium and aid the players.

Looking ahead to Girone B, Ginestra described the group as “the most balanced and difficult” of the league. He recalled last season’s tight race between Arezzo and Ascoli, and warned that this year Spezia, Reggiana, Pescara and Ravenna – all recently relegated – may have a slight edge over the rest. He also mentioned the presence of strong sides such as Livorno and Perugia, and urged clubs to honour their market promises and objectives.

Finally, Ginestra expressed surprise at the sudden dismissal of Vado’s coach on the eve of a match, calling it an “unexpected development”. He noted that such abrupt changes can unsettle a squad just before a crucial game.