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FCS goalkeeper Marius Adamonis (right) was a reliable presence in goal. © FC Südtirol
The long away trip for FCS was worth it.
Just a month and a half ago, FC Südtirol was embroiled in a relegation battle, but the situation has completely changed. On Sunday, the Red and Whites continued to collect points in southern Italy – and can now even dream of reaching the playoffs.
February 15, 2026
From: mv
Crucial points for FC Südtirol! Coach Fabrizio Castori's team emerged victorious from a defensive battle in the country's third-largest stadium, winning 2-1. Thanks to this win and the defeats of Cesena and Juve Stabia, the Red and Whites have surged to ninth place and are now only four points away from the playoff spots.
The 27 FCS fans at the Stadio San Nicola witnessed a true defensive battle. Simone Davi, who was substituted last Saturday due to knee pain, was back in the starting lineup against Bari, as were winter signings Simone Verdi and Domen Crnigoj. The latter two, however, were a complete disappointment and were taken off at halftime – a tactical move by Castori that proved decisive.
FCS wins defensive battle
Especially in the first half, there were few truly dangerous situations in the penalty area. That changed in the second half: suddenly both teams went all out for each other. FC Südtirol were consistently the more dangerous side – Bari only managed one shot on target against Marius Adamonis in the entire 90 minutes.
FCS, on the other hand, repeatedly found themselves thwarted by Bari goalkeeper Michele Cerofolini, who kept his team in the game for a long time. It was clear that the southern Italians, who have won only one of their last 15 matches, are struggling to create chances. This is hardly surprising, given that Moreno Longo's team has the weakest attack in the entire league.
The FCS victory in a nutshell
| Yawn... | The first half was – with a few exceptions – quite boring. The first chance didn't come until the 26th minute, but Baris Marvin Cuni's shot whistled past the goal. On the other end, Emanuele Pecorino headed over the bar completely unmarked (32nd minute). |
| Castori is a fox! | FCS takes the lead! Coach Castori, a wily operator, substitutes Crnigoj and Verdi at halftime, bringing on Fabian Tait and Silvio Merkaj, who immediately make an impact: Tait spots Daniele Casiraghi, whose initial shot is saved by Cerofolini. However, the rebound falls to Merkaj, who puts FCS ahead with his seventh goal of the season (48'). |
| FCS remains dangerous | After a powerful but central long-range shot from Simone Davi (57th minute), Pecorino had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0. He had plenty of space in the opposing penalty area and attempted a low shot towards the far corner, which Cerofolini brilliantly saved. The subsequent follow-up shots from Tait and Marco Frigerio were then blocked (59th minute). |
| But now! | With a quarter of an hour remaining, the long-awaited 2-0 finally arrives: Moussa Mané inadvertently deflects Casiraghi's free kick into his own net (75'). Victory is within reach! |
| Tension until the end | The match remained exciting until the very end: Emanuele Rao took a shot from 18 meters and buried the ball in the net via the inside of the post – even though Adamonis got a fingertip to it (80'). After five minutes of added time, however, the FCS away win was secured! |
FC Südtirol's Serie B campaign continues this coming Saturday. Another long away trip awaits, this time to Sicily to face fourth-placed Palermo. The match, which kicks off at 15 p.m., will, as usual, feature a SportNews-Live ticker accompanied.
SSC Bari – FC Südtirol 1-2
Bari (3-4-2-1): Cerofolini; Mantovani (from 46th Rao), Odenthal, Cistana; Dorval, Traoré (from 69. Artioli), Braunoder, Manè; Piscopo (from 46. Moncini), Cavuoti (from 79. Esteves); Cuni (from 69. Gytkjær)Trainer: Moreno Longo
FCS (3-5-2): Adamonis; Veseli, Kofler, El Kaouakibi; Simone Davi, Casiraghi, Tronchin (from 57. Frigerio), Crnigoj (from 46. Tait), Molina (from 69. Federico Davi); Pecorino (from 81st Tonin), Verdi (from 46th Merkaj)
Trainer: Fabrizio Beavers
Referee: Luca Massimi (Termoli)
Gates: 0:1 Silvio Merkaj (48th), 0:2 own goal Moussa Manè (75th), 1:2 Emanuele Rao (80th)
Serie B, matchday 25
Modena – Carrarese 2:0Goals: 1:0 Massolin (33rd), 2:0 Defrel (90th+1)
Palermo – Virtus Entella 3-0
Goals: 1:0 Pohjanpalo (4th), 2:0 Pohjanpalo (41st), 3:0 Pierozzi (50th)
Sampdoria – Padova 1:0
Goal: 1-0 Brunori (34th/penalty)
Catanzaro – Mantova 2:0
Goals: 1:0 Iemmello (5th), 2:0 Pontisso (39th)
Cesena – Venezia 0:4
Goals: 0:1 Busio (38'), 0:2 Adorante (45'+1), 0:3 Hainaut (62'), 0:4 Lauberbach (90'+3/penalty)
Monza – Juve Stabia 2:1
Goals: 0:1 Mosti (2nd), 1:1 Hernani (50th), 2:1 Petagna (63rd)
Spezia – Frosinone 0:2
Goals: 0:1 Kvernadze (37th), 0:2 Ghedjemis (56th)
Empoli – Reggiana 1:1
Goals: 0:1 Girma (26th/penalty), 1:1 Shpendi (72nd)
Avellino – Pescara 0:1
Goals: 0:1 Brugman (85th minute)
Table
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Venice | 25 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 50:22 | 53 |
| 2. Frosinone | 25 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 46:22 | 52 |
| 3.Monza | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 38:20 | 51 |
| 4. Palermo | 25 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 42:19 | 48 |
| 5. Catanzaro | 25 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 34:26 | 41 |
| 6. Modena | 25 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 33:19 | 40 |
| 7. Juventus Stabia | 25 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 30:29 | 38 |
| 8. Cesena | 25 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 32:34 | 37 |
| 9. FC South Tyrol | 25 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 26:24 | 33 |
| 10. Carrarese | 25 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 31:35 | 30 |
| 11. Empoli | 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 30:34 | 29 |
| 12. Sampdoria | 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 27:32 | 29 |
| 13. Padova | 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 25:31 | 29 |
| 14. Avellino | 25 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 29:41 | 28 |
| 15. Reggiana | 25 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 27:35 | 25 |
| 16. Virtus Entella | 25 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 23:34 | 25 |
| 17. Mantova | 25 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 24:40 | 23 |
| 18. Specia | 25 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 20:32 | 22 |
| 19. Baric | 25 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 20:38 | 21 |
| 20. Pescara | 25 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 28:48 | 18 |
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