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FC Südtirol celebrated their fourth consecutive victory on Saturday – let's hope it continues like this. © DLife/LO
This FC Südtirol is playing itself into an ever-increasing frenzy.
After three wins in as many games in the new year, things have calmed down somewhat for FC Südtirol. In their home game against Catanzaro, the Red and Whites had double cause for celebration: firstly, FCS equaled their own Serie B record, and secondly, they achieved their first ever victory against the Calabrian side.
31 January 2026
From the Drusus Stadium in Bolzano
From:
Moritz Vikoler
FC Südtirol had to wait 13 games and three and a half months for a victory between September 2025 and January 2026. But for FCS fans, that's already ancient history: the Red and Whites have been riding a wave of success since the start of the new year. Against Catanzaro, they celebrated a well-deserved 2-1 victory on Saturday. It was their first ever win against Catanzaro – in the previous six encounters, there had been four draws and two defeats.
Following the adage "Never change a winning team," FCS coach Fabrizio Castori fielded the same starting eleven that had secured three victories on Saturday. And once again, this decision proved to be the right one. After a frantic start with two goals in the first seven minutes, Silvio Merkaj put FCS on the path to victory with a sudden burst of energy before halftime. It seems the Red and Whites have no intention of relinquishing this lead.
3.800 spectators at the Drusus Stadium witnessed a spirited performance from the home side in the second half, which was not particularly exciting. The visitors, led by experienced playmaker Pietro Iemmello, enjoyed significantly more possession but failed to convert it into further goals. FC Südtirol, anchored by defender Raphael Kofler, defended with great passion and allowed virtually no space. Thanks to the victory, FC Südtirol equaled their own Serie B record. They had previously achieved four consecutive wins at the beginning of 2023 – back then under the successful coach Pierpaolo Bisoli.
Midfielder leaves FCS
Shortly before kickoff, FC Südtirol announced that Alessandro Mallamo had left the club. FCS and Serie C side Union Brescia have agreed to a loan deal with an option to buy. Mallamo made 43 appearances for FCS, scoring two goals. Additionally, Alessandro Vimercati will be loaned to FC Trapani for the second half of the season – he was under contract with Picerno in Serie C for the first half. The Serie B transfer window closes on Monday, February 2nd. It remains to be seen whether sporting director Paolo Bravo will make any further signings before then.FCS's fourth consecutive victory, briefly summarized
| Crazy beginning | Some FCS fans hadn't even reached their seats when Karim Zedadka put the hosts ahead with a powerful shot into the top corner (4'). The lead didn't last long, however, as just three minutes later Mattia Liberali sent his teammate Filippo Pittarello through on goal. His shot was crucially deflected by Hamza El Kaouakibi and found its way into the net (7'). |
| Merkaj with energy surge | FC Südtirol didn't give up and eventually regained the lead: Frederic Veseli's throw-in was headed on by Emanuele Pecorino. Silvio Merkaj then embarked on a solo run across half the field, rounded visiting goalkeeper Mirko Pigliacelli, and slotted home to make it 2-1 (21'). It was the Albanian's sixth goal of the season. |
| Adamonis's super deed | Towards the end of the first half, Catanzaro increased the pressure. This led to a great chance: FCS goalkeeper Marius Adamonis made a brilliant reflex save from a close-range header by goalscorer Pittarello (39'). |
| Catanzaro is playing, FCS is becoming dangerous | After the break, the game became less exciting. The visitors from Calabria enjoyed significantly more possession (66 to 34 percent), but only FC Südtirol posed a real threat. First, Domen Crnigoj delivered a low, driven cross into the box, which Pecorino narrowly missed (72'). Then, a header from Raphael Odogwu went wide (84'), before Pigliacelli comfortably saved a long-range effort from El Kaouakibi (85'). |
| Odogwu, the hero | Things only got really dangerous in the penalty area of the Red and Whites in the final minute of stoppage time. After a free kick, Pittarello tried his luck with a powerful shot, but Odogwu was perfectly positioned and cleared the ball off the line with his chest (90+6). A minute later, the next FCS victory was sealed. |
Thanks to their fourth consecutive victory, FC Südtirol travels to Tuscany next Saturday, February 7th, with high spirits for their next crucial six-point match against Carrarese. The Carrara team, which includes South Tyrolean players Simone Zanon and Emanuele Zuelli, currently sits just one point ahead of FCS in ninth place in the table. Kick-off is at 15 pm. SportNews-Live ticker so you don't miss anything.
FC Südtirol – US Catanzaro 1929 2:1
FCS (3-5-2): Adamonis; El Kaouakibi, Kofler, Veseli; Molina (from 84th Federico Davi), Tait (from 58th Frigerio), Tronchin (from 58th Crnigoj), Casiraghi (from 73rd Bordon), Zedadka; Merkaj, Pecorino (from 73. Odogwu)Trainer: Fabrizio Beavers
Catanzaro (3-4-2-1): Pigliacelli; Cassandro, Antonini, Brighenti (from 64. Frosinini); Favasuli, Pontisso (from 74. Pompetti), Petriccione, D'Alessandro (from 64. Di Francesco); Liberali (from 74. Pandolfi), Iemmello (from 84. Nuamah); Pittarello
Trainer: Alberto Aquilani
Referee: Niccolò Turrini (Florence)
Gates: 1:0 Zedadka (4th), 1:1 Pittarello (7th), 2:1 Merkaj (21st)
Viewers: 3.808 (including 568 away fans)
Serie B, matchday 22
Bari – Palermo 0:3 (Fr.)Goals: 0:1 Le Douaron (57th), 0:2 Pohjanpalo (67th), 0:3 Ranocchia (82nd/penalty)
Empoli – Modena 0:0
Venezia – Carrarese 2:1
Goals: 1:0 Busio (25th), 1:1 Hasa (53rd), 2:1 Schingtienne (82nd)
Avellino – Cesena 3:1
Goals: 0:1 Olivieri (8th), 1:1 Biasci (17th), 2:1 Biasci (38th), 3:1 Biasci (62nd)
Virtus Entella – Frosinone 1:1
Goal: 1:0 Cuppone (50th), 1:1 Fiori (90th + 4)
Pescara – Mantova 2:2
Goals: 0:1 Ruocco (17th), 1:1 Caligara (30th), 1:2 Ruocco (60th), 2:2 Meazzi (73rd)
Sampdoria – Spezia 1:0
Goal: 1:0 Ricci (90th minute)
Sunday's games
Reggiana – Juventus Stabia (15 p.m.)
Padova – Monza (5:15 pm)
Table
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Venice | 22 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 44:19 | 47 |
| 2. Frosinone | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 40:19 | 46 |
| 3.Monza | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 34:18 | 44 |
| 4. Palermo | 22 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 33:14 | 41 |
| 5. Modena | 22 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 28:17 | 34 |
| 6. Cesena | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 29:27 | 34 |
| 7. Juventus Stabia | 22 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 24:23 | 34 |
| 8. Catanzaro | 22 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 28:26 | 32 |
| 9. Carrarese | 22 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 31:32 | 29 |
| 10. FC South Tyrol | 22 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 24:23 | 28 |
| 11. Empoli | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 26:28 | 28 |
| 12. Avellino | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 27:35 | 28 |
| 13. Padova | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 21:27 | 25 |
| 14. Sampdoria | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 21:28 | 22 |
| 15. Reggiana | 22 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 25:32 | 21 |
| 16. Virtus Entella | 22 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 19:29 | 21 |
| 17. Specia | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 19:29 | 20 |
| 18. Mantova | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 22:36 | 20 |
| 19. Baric | 22 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 18:34 | 20 |
| 20. Pescara | 22 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 27:44 | 15 |
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