This is how FC Südtirol celebrates. © All photos: DLife/Ognibeni

First snow chaos, then spectacle: FCS completely unleashed

FC Südtirol fans braved the freezing cold at the Drusus Stadium for around four hours on Sunday. At the end of a crazy day, they didn't regret it for a second: FCS delivered a spectacular performance.

25 January 2026

From: det

Between the scheduled kick-off time (3 p.m.) and the final whistle (6:24 p.m.), a full three and a half hours passed in FC Südtirol's home match on Sunday. And despite the bitterly cold temperatures hovering around freezing, the FCS fans were left with a warm feeling. With one of their best performances of the season, the Red and Whites won 3-0 against Padova at the Drusus Stadium, securing their third consecutive victory and slowly but surely distancing themselves from the relegation zone.

But let's start from the beginning. Winter has fully gripped South Tyrol again this weekend. Even the Bolzano basin was blanketed in white on Sunday – and so was the Drusus Stadium. When the match between FCS and Padova was scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m., the green pitch lay buried under a layer of snow several centimeters thick. A tractor had to clear the field. Kick-off was first postponed to 3:30 p.m., then to 4:30 p.m. – a change that, given the freezing temperatures, caused frustration for many fans.

The tractor had to come.

But most of the 3.500 spectators who had to endure the cold for so long didn't regret it in the end. They witnessed an FC Südtirol side playing with unbridled enthusiasm. Especially in the first half, Fabian Tait (celebrating 400 appearances for FCS) and his teammates toyed with the visitors. The 2-0 lead was the logical consequence. First, Silvio Merkaj scored after an eight-game goal drought, then the man of the moment, Emanuele Pecorino, found the net in outstanding form, scoring in his third consecutive match. He now has five goals this season, equaling Merkaj's tally.

Because Padova – who surprisingly played without star player Papu Gomez – shook off their lethargy after the break, an entertaining exchange ensued. The FCS defense, led by Raphael Kofler, proved impenetrable. In their three matches of the new year, the Red and Whites have conceded only one goal – a remarkable achievement.

In 2026, FCS will have a perfect record, having earned nine out of nine possible points. This is invaluable in their fight against relegation. Fabrizio Castori's team continues their campaign next Saturday with another home game: this time against Catanzaro.

FC Südtirol – Calcio Padova 3-0

FCS (3-5-2): Adamonis; El Kaouakibi, Kofler, Veseli; Molina (from 85. Federico Davi), Tait (from 65. Frigerio), Tronchin (from 76. Crnigoj), Casiraghi, Zedadka (from 65. Simone Davi); Merkaj, Pecorino (from 76. Odogwu)

Padova (3-1-4-2): Sorrentino; Villa (from 46. Silva), Sgarbi, Perrotta; Harder (from 61st Buonaiuto); Capelli, Fusi, Varas, Barreca (from 77. Baselli); Lasagna (from 61. Seghetti), Bortolussi

Gates: 1:0 Silvio Merkaj (28th), 2:0 Emanuele Pecorino (38th), 3:0 hand penalty Casiraghi (90th+4)

Viewers: 3.570 (including 703 away fans)

Serie B, matchday 21

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