Hannes Kiem looks up: “This time everything is different”

FC Südtirol is entering the final spurt in the race for promotion to Serie B. Already on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the playoffs it's all or nothing! The winner of the duel in the Drusus Stadium between FCS and Calcio Como moves into the next round, the loser has to go on vacation.

Rastelli: “I have complete trust in my boys”

Just a few days before the start of the playoffs, the White-Reds were given a new opponent in Como, but this leaves coach Claudio Rastelli cold: “Nothing changes for us. We have to win, no matter who it is against. By the middle of the week we had worked through the last day of the match and done some particularly physical exercises. The effective preparation for the game only began on Thursday." The Roman attests to the impressive form of his protégés: "Apart from the injured Dell'Agnello, all the players are in top shape - including Tagliani, who has recovered. We will carry out our usual offensive pressing and try to put Como in trouble.”

Baumgartner: “Name me a team that is better than us!”

While Rastelli is still preparing in detail for the opponent, President Walter Baumgartner is already certain: “In the previous season, the playoffs did not go as planned. This year, however, things are different. This year we can pull off a big coup.” Baumgartner by no means sees the FCS in the outside role, on the contrary: “Name me a team that is better than us! FC Südtirol doesn't have to fear anyone. However, we rely on the support of our fans. We need every single one of them in the stadium on Sunday.”

Gill: “I hope the stadium is sold out”

FCS veteran and team captain Hannes Kiem takes a similar tone: “I feel an even greater passion and conviction within the team than last year. This time everything is really different. I am proud to be captain of this team. Together we can still achieve great things. I hope the stadium is sold out on Sunday. It would be an extra motivation.”

“Beppe” Le Noci as a euphoria killer?

With all the optimism that those responsible for FCS exude, a well-known face in the white and red jersey could make Kiem and Co.'s promotion dreams burst. We're talking about goalscorer Giuseppe Le Noci, who is one of Como's undisputed leaders with twelve goals this season. He is supposed to lead the recently stumbling Lombards back onto the road to success at their old place of work. In the last seven championship games, Como collected just seven points. On the other hand, the experienced team of the former Serie A club has an extremely solid defense with only 32 goals conceded.

However, these whole numbers lose all their meaning by Sunday at 16 p.m. at the latest. Then FC Südtirol and Calcio Como start from scratch. Every hit, every mistake, every carelessness could decide the outcome of an entire season. There is no more tension.

This is how they will play:

FC South Tyrol (4-3-3): Facchin; Cappelletti, Kiem, Bassoli, Martin; Fink, Pederzoli, Branca; Minesso, Corazza, Turchetta. Replacements: Micai, Peverelli, Tagliani, Furlan, Vassallo, Cocuzza, Veratti. Coach: Claudio Rastelli

Como (3-5-2): Melgrati; Ardito, Ambrosini, Marchi; Bencivenga, Schenetti, Fietta, Verachi, Fautario; Altinieri (Defendi), Le Noci. Substitutes: Crispino, Donnarumma, Redolfi, Cristiani, Palma, Gallegos, Perna. Coach: Giovanni Colella

Schiedsrichter : Valerio Marini from Rome (D'Apice-Opromolla)

The playoffs of the 1st division, district A:

Quarterfinals (Sunday May 11) FC Südtirol – Como (16 p.m.) Vicenza – Savona (16 p.m.) Cremonese – Albinoleffe (18 p.m., Live Rai Sport 1) Pro Vercelli – FeralpiSalò (21 p.m.)

Semi-finals (May 18th and 25th) Pro Vercelli/FeralpiSalò – Vicenza/Savona FC Südtirol/ Como – Cremonese/Albinoleffe

Final (June 1st and 7th)

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Hannes Kiem looks up: “This time everything is different”

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