Raffaele Bianco

Raffaele Bianco (born 25 August 1987) is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bari.

Club Career

Juventus

A product of the Juventus F.C. Youth Sector, Bianco was one of several academy youngsters called up to the Juventus first team for their season in Serie B, in the aftermath of Calciopoli. On 14 April 2007, he made his first team and league debut, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute for Raffaele Palladino in a 1–3 away victory over U.S. Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare. He managed 4 appearances in Serie B and scored his first goal in the last matchday, a 3–2 loss to Spezia.

2007–08 season: Loan to Piacenza

After Juventus were promoted back to Serie A for the 2007–08 season, Bianco was loaned to Serie B club Piacenza Calcio on a season-long loan deal, to gain first team experience. On 18 August, Bianco made his debut for Piacenza in a 2–1 away win over Ravenna in the second round of Coppa Italia, he played the entire match. On 29 August he played in the third round in a 3–2 away defeat against Reggiana. On 22 September, Bianco made his Serie B debut for Piacenza in a 1–0 away defeat against Treviso, he played the entire match. On 20 October he scored his first goal for Piacenza in the 60th minute of a 3–1 away defeat against Pisa. Bianco ended his loan to Piacenza with 15 appearances and 1 goal.

2008–09 season: Loan to Bari

On 1 July, Bianco was loaned out to Serie B side A.S. Bari on a season-long loan deal, coached at the time by Juventus legend, Antonio Conte. On 16 August, Bianco made his debut for Bari in a 2–0 home win over Bassano Virtus in the second round of Coppa Italia, he played the entire match. On 23 August he played in the third round in a 1–0 away defeat against Ascoli. On 7 September he made his Serie B debut for Bari as a substitute replacing Emanuel Rivas in the 73rd minute of a 0–0 away draw against Frosinone. On 20 September, Bianco played his first