Fabian Tait thanks the fans. © Luca Ognibeni / DLife

With Tait's strange performance: FCS loses to league leader

The 2024/25 season remains an up and down for FC Südtirol. On Saturday, the White and Reds bravely stood up to league leader Pisa, but there were no points - but a curious performance from captain Fabian Tait.

19 October 2024

From the Drusus Stadium

After the international break, FC Südtirol returned to league action on Saturday - and immediately faced a very difficult task. The guests were league leaders Pisa, who are coached by legendary striker Filippo Inzaghi. Pisa were not a superior team, as FCS played on equal terms for long stretches and at least one point would have been possible. Nevertheless, the confident league leader took all three points thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Bitter for FC Südtirol, and also bitter for Fabian Tait. The captain had a very strange afternoon on Saturday. It started before the match, when the 31-year-old from Salurn was honored in grand style. Three weeks ago, Tait played his 369th match against Palermo for the White-Reds and thus became the club's record player. Several youth players lined up as Tait was presented with a trophy by FCS President Gerhard Comper and State Governor Arno Kompatscher.

The match got even better for the midfielder. After a scramble in the penalty area, the ball found its way to Tait, who scored the 1-0 with his left foot - his first goal of the season.

The FCS fans pay tribute to Fabian Tait.

Otherwise, the Unterland native was one of the best white-red players on the pitch - until the 37th minute. Suddenly Tait fell to the ground and grabbed his thigh. The FCS record player was unable to continue, and had to watch the rest of the game from the bench, cheering his team on from there. But that didn't help either. In the end, Pisa turned the match around and took three points from the Drusus Stadium. It remains to be seen how serious the Salurn native's muscle injury is.

For FCS, where Raphael Kofler had to go to the bench for the recovered Andrea Masiello, the constant ups and downs continue. But: a defeat against the league leaders is no big deal. In the league table, the White-Reds are still in a playoff position - at least for one night. On Sunday in a week's time, FCS will be guests in Catanzaro.

FC Südtirol – Pisa Sporting Club 1:2

FCS (3-4-2-1): Poluzzi; Giorgini, Ceppitelli, Masiello; Molina (from 78. Crespi), Arrigoni, Praszelik (from 66. Martini), Rover (from 78. Zedadka); Tait (from 37. Simone Davi), Casiraghi (from 66. Merkaj); Odogwu
Coach: Federico Valente

Pisa (3-4-3): Semper; Rus, Caracciolo, Canestrelli; Toure, Piccinini (from 46. Marin), Højholt, Beruatto (from 78. Angori); Arena (from 70. Tramoni), Lind (from 70. Nicholas Bonfanti), Moreno (from 86. Mlakar)
Coach: Filippo Inzaghi

Gates: 1:0 Fabian Tait (29th), 1:1 Alexander Lind (38th), 1:2 penalty Alesandro Arena (58th)

Viewers: 4.099 (including 584 away fans)

Serie B, matchday 9

Table