He returned to football using his real name Luciano. On 26 January 2003, he played his first league match of the season, against Perugia as a starter, but Chievo lost 0–1. In April 2003, FIGC ordered Chievo to pay Bologna €6.22 million that owed Bologna in June 2002. Chievo finished seventh in the 2002–03 Serie A season.