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Raphael Kofler (front) put up a tough fight with FC Südtirol Venezia. © DLife/Luca Ognibene
Even against Venezia: FCS as giant-killers
FC Südtirol demonstrated their strong form once again in their home game against Venezia, securing a draw against the league leaders.
February 28, 2026
From the Drusus Stadium
From:
David Lechthaler
Just in their last home game, FC Südtirol had managed a 0-0 draw against Monza, who are now level on points with Venezia at the top of the table. Two and a half weeks later, another top Serie B team, Venezia, could only manage a 1-1 draw in front of over 4.300 spectators at the Drusus Stadium. The visitors from Venice repeatedly showed flashes of their quality, but FC Südtirol earned this draw through sheer fighting spirit and passion.
Alessio Cragno made his debut in goal for South Tyrol's only professional football club on Saturday, as Marius Adamonis suffered a rib injury against Palermo. The two-time Italian international goalkeeper exuded confidence. Furthermore, from the 64th minute onward, following the substitutions of Fabian Tait and Simone Davi, FCS had four South Tyroleans on the pitch. Raphael Kofler played the full 90 minutes after serving his suspension, and Federico Davi had come on at halftime.
The standout player for FCS was once again Silvio Merkaj, who briefly put FC Südtirol in the lead after halftime with his eighth goal of the season. The Albanian then missed a good scoring opportunity in stoppage time. Incidentally, their opponents, Venezia, fielded a truly multicultural team, with players from eleven different nations in their starting eleven. While FCS sits comfortably in mid-table, their former coach, Giovanni Stroppa, continues to fight hard for promotion with Venezia.
The highlights
| Venezia were better, but without goals. | The first half saw a balanced game, but the visitors from Venice had the better scoring opportunities. The FCS defense struggled, particularly with the lively Yeboah. After 21 minutes, the Venezia striker hit the crossbar when through on goal against Cragno. Thirteen minutes later, the FCS goalkeeper made a fine save from Doumbia. FCS scored just before halftime through Tronchin, but El Kaouakibi was clearly offside. |
| Molina on Merkaj! | Only two minutes have been played and the second half begins with a bang: Molina sends Haps the wrong way on the right wing, his perfectly weighted cross finds Merkaj, who heads home to make it 1-0 for FCS. Then, in the 53rd minute, Casiraghi squanders a golden opportunity to make it 2-0. |
| The equalizer was prompt. | After Casiraghi's chance, Venezia equalizes: Haps gets past Crnigoj and plays the ball into the middle, where Hainaut is completely unmarked and can shoot. The score is 1-1. |
| Almost the winning goal for FCS | The atmosphere in Bolzano reached fever pitch in stoppage time. After a corner, El Kaouakibi headed the ball on to Merkaj. Venezia's goalkeeper Stankovic made a brilliant reflex save to deny the Albanian's header. |
FC Südtirol's next match is on Tuesday evening (20 p.m.) with an away game against Reggiana. Next Saturday, the Red and Whites will host Virtus Entella at the Drusus Stadium.
FC Südtirol – Venezia 1:1
FCS (3-5-2): Cragno; El Kaouakibi, Kofler, Bordon (from 46. Federico Davi); Molina, Crnigoj (from 64. Tait), Tronchin, Casiraghi (from 76. Frigerio), Zedadka (from 64. Simone Davi); Merkaj, Pecorino (from 84th tonin).Coach: Castori
Venice (3-5-2): Stankovic; Schingtienne, Svoboda, Sverko; Hainaut, Perez (from 66. Lella), Doumbia, Busio, Haps (from 74. Sagrado); Yeboah (from 86. Adorante), Lauberbach (from 66. Casas).
Coach: Stroppa
Gates: 1:0 Merkaj (47th), 1:1 Hainaut (54th)
Viewers: 4.328 (including 657 guests)
The table
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Venice | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 54:25 | 57 |
| 2.Monza | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 41:20 | 57 |
| 3. Frosinone | 27 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 50:26 | 54 |
| 4. Palermo | 27 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 46:21 | 51 |
| 5. Catanzaro | 27 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 39:29 | 45 |
| 6. Modena | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 36:22 | 43 |
| 7. Juventus Stabia | 27 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 31:31 | 39 |
| 8. Cesena | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 35:38 | 38 |
| 9. FC South Tyrol | 27 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 27:28 | 34 |
| 10. Padova | 27 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 28:33 | 33 |
| 11. Empoli | 27 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 33:37 | 31 |
| 12. Carrarese | 27 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 32:37 | 31 |
| 13. Avellino | 27 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 30:42 | 30 |
| 14. Reggiana | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 29:36 | 29 |
| 15. Sampdoria | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 28:36 | 29 |
| 16. Mantova | 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 27:42 | 27 |
| 17. Specia | 27 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 23:35 | 25 |
| 18. Virtus Entella | 27 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 24:39 | 25 |
| 19. Baric | 27 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 23:39 | 25 |
| 20. Pescara | 27 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 32:52 | 21 |
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