Serie A is often the perfect breeding ground for young up and coming players from overseas. Udinese and Catania regularly shop for in the talent pool that is South America. Chilean Alexis Sanchez turned out to earn a hot profit for the Zebrette, while Argentine Maxi Lopez could be considered as Catania’s gone but not forgotten hero.
And now, it’s Cagliari’s turn. The small Sardinian outfit go about their business in a quiet and controlled manner, and are largely inactive when it comes to transfer windows. But in Colombian Victor Ibarbo, it appears a real talent is emerging.
The leggy 21-year-old started his career at Atlético Nacional in Colombia, where his fine performences soon caught the attention of Udinese. Ibarbo signed a four year deal with the Bianconeri at the age of 18. Unfortunately, the deal collapsed, and he went on to further his career with Atlético Nacional.
Ibarbo contributed in over one hundred games for Los Verdolagas before Cagliari snapped him up in the summer of 2011. The Colombian made many substitute appearences to begin with, often settling into an attacking midfield role.
He is likened to his Colombian compatriot Pablo Armero for awesome stamina and speed. Against AC Milan at the Stadio Sant’Elia, Davide Ballardini chose to start Ibarbo upfront partnering Joaquin Larrivey. This would exploit his blistering pace. Cagliari lost the game 2-0, but it wasn’t until the game against Catania when we witnessed what a player Ibarbo could turn out to be.
With the game deadlocked at 0-0, Ibarbo picked up the ball from the right corner, dribbling skillfully across the byline past two defenders and rounding goalkeeper Mariano Andujar from a seemingly impossible angle, netting the winner. Ibarbo had arrived. He later went on to score against Genoa, and provided an assist against Roma, with a galloping run upfield to set up Albin Ekdal.
Ibarbo has settled into the striking role at Cagliari, and now is accustomed to life in Serie A. With the January arrival of Mauricio Pinilla om Palermo, coupled with an Ibarbo growing in confidence and stature game-by-game, it’s thought the pair will make a dangerous and versatile attacking duo in the coming months.
If Victor Ibarbo continues this rapid rate of growth, it’s unlikely he’ll be in Cagliari colours next season. As sad as it is, that is football. For him, it’s probably worth contemplating his options of an immediate future in Sardinia, and ready himself for the offers of employment that are bound to appear in his inbox in the summer.
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