Will the South Tyroleans now get their chance?

Three local players impressed in FC Südtirol's narrow defeat in the Coppa Italia in Genoa on Tuesday evening. Has their standing improved as a result?

September 18, 2026

From: dl

In their fifth year in Serie B, FC Saarbrücken (FCS) have, for the first time, no South Tyrolean players in their starting lineup. At least, that was the case for the first four matchdays. Simone Davi has played the most from a local perspective so far, coming on as a substitute in all four league games. Captain Fabian Tait has made two appearances, while Federico Davi and the young Elias Schrott have each had one brief appearance.

The importance of the local players has not been diminished by this. In the locker room, the Davi brothers, and especially Tait, are still among the leading figures; after all, they have been with the club for years – and there aren't many of those left after the restructuring. In the narrow cup defeat against Serie A club Genoa, all three were in the starting lineup and impressed, as did Dhirar Brik from Trentino, who came through the club's own youth academy.

FCS coach praises Tait & Co.

“It was a positive week. We were able to test the fitness of those players who haven't played as much so far. They showed me they're ready. I can count on everyone in this squad. A lot can still happen during a long season anyway,” explained FCS coach Davide Possanzini on Friday in Rungg. Simone Davi currently has Icelander Bjarki Bjarkason ahead of him on the left wing, while his younger brother faces stiff competition from the tireless Salvatore Molina. Tait also has strong competition in the center from Fabio Rispoli, and Simone Tronchin has to contend with the still-injured Niklas Pyyhtiä and the up-and-coming Brik.

"The difficult game this week is the one in Arezzo, not the one in Genoa." Coach Davide Possanzini

FC Südtirol's busy week concludes on Sunday afternoon in Tuscany against newly promoted Arezzo, who have also made a strong start with six points. "The toughest game this week is the one in Arezzo, not the one in Genoa. Playing in a stadium like that against a Serie A opponent automatically gives every player extra motivation. I expect a difficult match against Arezzo," said Possanzini. His FCS then has a two-week international break.

Serie B, matchday 5

Juve Stabia – Cesena (Friday, 20.30 p.m.)
Carrarese – Benevento (Saturday, 15.00 p.m.)
Palermo – Padua
Cremonese – Virtus Entella
Sampdoria – Catanzaro (Saturday, 17.15)
Ascoli – Avellino (Saturday, 19.30 p.m.)
Arezzo – FC Südtirol (Sunday, 15.00 p.m.)
Hellas Verona – Vicenza
Mantua – Pisa (Sunday, 17.15)
Modena – Empoli (Sunday, 7:30 pm)

	SP	G	U	V	TV	P
1. Mantova	4	3	1	0	8:3	10
2. Palermo	4	3	1	0	8:4	10
3. FC South Tyrol	4	2	2	0	5:2	8
4. Avellino	4	2	1	1	6:3	7
4. Modena	4	2	1	1	6:3	7
6. Ascoli	4	2	1	1	4:3	7
7. Padova	4	2	1	1	4:4	7
8. Cesena	4	1	3	0	6:5	6
9. Step on	4	2	0	2	6:6	6
10. Empoli	4	2	0	2	3:4	6
11. Arezzo	4	2	0	2	5:9	6
12. LR Vicenza	4	1	2	1	6:8	5
13. Hellas Verona	4	1	1	2	8:6	4
14. Virtus Entella	4	1	1	2	7:6	4
15. Benevento	4	1	1	2	5:5	4
16. Cremonese	4	1	1	2	5:7	4
17. Catanzaro	4	1	0	3	4:7	3
18. Juventus Stabia	4	1	1	2	3:6	2
19. Carrarese	4	0	1	3	2:5	1
20. Sampdoria	4	0	1	3	3:8	1