Barba signed a 3.5-year contract with Benevento with an additional one-year extension option. Barba made his debut in the third match of 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification. In the elite qualification, he played twice as the holder of number 2 shirt. He played the first game after Rodrigo Ely was sent off, which Barba substituted forward Mattia Valoti. Due to Ely suspension, Barba played the second match but not the third match. Barba received U20 call-up from Luigi Di Biagio in summer 2012. In November, he received call-up from Devis Mangia for Italy national under-21 football team against Spain national under-21 football team. However, he did not play that match.