Federico Valente sets the course for staying in the league. © DLife/LO

Before the duel of the bargain hunters: FC Südtirol stacks up deep

FC Südtirol and Cittadella are among the clubs that spend the least on player salaries in Serie B. Nevertheless, both teams could catapult themselves into the promotion race in a direct duel in the Drusus Stadium. But the FCS coach doesn't want to know anything about it.

19 April 2024

From the FCS Center in Eppan

Immediately before the final training session in the FCS Center, the South Tyrolean second division team asked for a routine press session on Friday morning. This didn't last a quarter of an hour, but it was enough time to send a clear message to the writing guild: It's all about staying in the league!

Like a prayer wheel, coach Federico Valente answered almost every question with the same answer: "First the mathematical stay in the league, then we'll see what happens." He follows this motto both when it comes to his own future, i.e. a possible extension of his temporary employment relationship with FC Südtirol until the end of the season , as well as in terms of promotion ambitions. “We are honored that outsiders suddenly see us in the playoff race. But I would like to remind you that not so long ago many saw us as a candidate for relegation. That’s why I’m not interested in what others think,” the Italian-Swiss said unequivocally.

“Even an equalization would help us.” FCS coach Federico Valente

The coach's target, who was without on Saturday Emanuele Pecorino, Having to make do with Hamza El Kaouakibi and Kevin Vinetot isn't too ambitious. The FCS is currently eleventh in the table, a whopping seven points ahead of a playout place. With a win against Cittadella, which has one point more in tenth place, the South Tyroleans are as good as saved with only four rounds remaining. “Even an equalization would help us in this regard,” calculates Valente.

In the first leg, Simone Davi (r.) & Co. Cittadella lost 1:2.

However, the approach within the team is likely to be different, also because the upcoming opponent is anything but in form. The underdog from the town of 20.000 in Veneto has only won one of the most recent 13 league games and has only achieved two wins in 2024.

The salaries in comparison

Cittadella is also the club that spends by far the least on player salaries in Serie B. According to the most recent evaluation of the Journal of Sport The FCS opponent pays its players gross salaries of 4,5 million euros per year (excluding bonuses). FC Südtirol itself transfers an amount of 6,1 million to its professionals, which puts it third to last in the ranking. In between is newcomer Lecco with expenses of 5,1 million euros.

For comparison: Sampdoria shells out the most for salaries at a whopping 25,4 million euros. However, the FCS showed that this is by no means a guarantee of sporting success with their 1-0 win in Genoa on the last match day. In the table, Samp is only two points ahead of Valente's team. With a win on Saturday against Cittadella (from 16.15 a.m. in SportNews-Live ticker) could push the salary croissant out of the playoff zone. But nobody at the FCS Center wants to know anything about it (yet).

The 34th matchday:

Friday, 20.30:XNUMX p.m
Palermo-Parma
Reggiana-Cosenza

Saturday, 14 p.m
Ascoli-Modena
Bari-Pisa
Brescia – Ternana
FeralpiSalò – Como

Saturday, 16.15 p.m
FC Südtirol – Cittadella
Catanzaro – Cremonese
Lecco – Venice
Spezia - Sampdoria