Alberto Aquilani faces FCS in the opening match. © US Catanzaro

An unpleasant start for FC Südtirol

After the competitive opening match last Friday in the Coppa Italia (1:3 in Como), the new Serie B season begins for FC Südtirol this weekend.

August 20, 2025

From: dl

On Sunday evening (21 p.m.), FC Südtirol begins its fourth second division championship campaign. It kicks off with an away game in Catanzaro. In four Serie B encounters, FC Südtirol has never won against the Calabrian team, picking up only two points. The southern Italians strengthened their squad this summer with, among others, Milan's talented midfielder Mattia Liberali.

The 18-year-old Rossoneri loanee has always been a key figure in the Milanese and Italian youth teams and is now gaining his first experience of adult football in Catanzaro. His baptism of fire came in the Coppa Italia, when Catanzaro lost 0-1 away to Serie A newcomers Sassuolo. This also marked the debut of new coach Alberto Aquilani.

Catanzaro has passionate fans: In recent years, around 10.000 people have attended home games. © US Catanzaro

At 41, Aquilani is still considered a talented coach – even if he fell short of expectations at his first Serie B stint in Pisa. The Roman employs a 4-2-3-1 formation with captain and figurehead Pietro Iemmello as the sole striker. Catanzaro will have to do without playmaker Marco Pompetti for quite some time, who flopped at FC Südtirol and has become a key player for the Red and Yellows. However, the 25-year-old has suffered a broken fibula.

The FCS opening program

Sunday, August 24st (21 p.m.): Catanzaro – FCS
Sunday, August 31st (19 p.m.): FCS Sampdoria
Sunday, September 14st (17.15 p.m.): FCS – Palermo