Earlier this month, Leeds United confirmed goalkeeper Elia Caprile has left Elland Road and completed a permanent move to SSC Bari.
The Italian spent two seasons with the Whites, but failed to make an appearance for their senior team.
During his time at Leeds, the 20-year-old trained under the orders of Marcelo Bielsa, and that clearly left a positive mark.
Caprile has given an interview to Radio Bari, relayed by Tutto Bari, in which he detailed his experience of being coached by the former Leeds manager.
“It was fortunate to be immediately part of the first team with Bielsa. A historical person, only when you know him and work there can you understand why so many are inspired by him. I have never played but I have always trained with them. Thanks to the coach I have improved a lot in the game with my feet,” he said.
“In England the role of the goalkeeper is seen in a different way, especially with contact on the corners. In terms of preparation, more importance is given to rhythms and less to technique, which in Italy is a great value.”
Although his choice to join a lower division club was questioned last year, Caprile is now of the belief his temporary spell at Pro Patria has helped him earn a move to Bari.
“I’m not an atypical goalkeeper. Then in this role you need a bit of healthy madness, if only to withstand certain pressures. In my opinion every goalkeeper is crazy in his own way,” Caprile explained.
“My strong point? At 20 I have to improve everything. My strong point at this age is to play carefree.
“Off the pitch also not being afraid of having experiences considered difficult such as going to England. But even last year many criticised my choice to return to Italy and to Serie C from the Premier League, while it was rewarded because I arrived at an important club like Bari.”
Caprile will have to fight with 36-year-old Pierluigi Frattali for a place in Bari’s starting lineup. On this new challenge, he said: “I am here to learn. Pierluigi has great experience, he can only give me excellent advice. His greatest quality is hunger, it is not easy to reach his age at his level.”
“What would I like to learn from him? Managing crosses. The experience of understanding what the attacker is doing at a given moment.”
