Fabian Tait: “Achieved tremendously in 4 months”

Ten points are needed in the remaining seven Serie B matches. "With 10 points, we're definitely safe, maybe 7 points will be enough. But we don't have to count, we have to play," was the message from "Mister FC Südtirol," who made his return to the starting eleven in Mantua after more than five months.

Tait is still far from 100 percent fit after his long-term thigh muscle and tendon injury. He knows that himself. "I'm around 65, 70 percent," said the Salurn native. "It's been a long time. I injured myself in October, and then I had surgery. I'd already had injury problems in the summer. Fit doesn't come naturally; it comes with training, training, training, and match practice."

FC Südtirol's form also needs to improve. "The team has done tremendously in the past four months," emphasized Tait. "We were last in the table when Castori took over. We mustn't forget that. Before the two matches against Carrarese and Mantova, FC Südtirol was in fourth place in the second half of the season. We picked up the same number of points as Spezia and Cremonese. That's outstanding," the FCS captain clarified.

Catching up took a lot of mental strength "There are always moments when things don't go so well. That was the case in the last two games. That's just part of football," said the midfielder, who isn't worried about it. "We need to analyze where we made mistakes. It's true that we didn't start well against either Carrarese or Mantova. We also started poorly in Cittadella, but ended up winning 5-1. In Mantua, we had five clear chances to score; if we score one, the game turns. Details decide games, and this is even more true in the incredibly even Serie B."

According to Tait, the comeback since December has taken a lot of mental energy, especially. "But that shouldn't be an excuse. We still have seven games left, and we have to give it our all. We're on the right track, that's for sure. We can't assume we'll win every game. The equalizer against Carrarese and the defeat in Mantua certainly won't throw us off track. There's always an opponent on the pitch. Mantova played a superb game in the first half; we have to be that honest," explained Tait. The FCS captain responded to the critics of Castori's style of football: "The results prove him right. That's all that matters. The points count. We certainly don't lack scoring opportunities under coach Castori. So we have the chances to win games. We have to be effective and ruthless," emphasized the FCS record player. "Winning duels and winning second balls – that's the recipe for success. We don't have time for anything else in a relegation battle." Fabrizio Castori, coach of FC Südtirol.

Cesena on Saturday (15 p.m.) at the Drusus Stadium, then Salernitana away, a home double against Bari and Juve Stabia, Palermo on the road, and finally Cosenza and Pisa – these are FCS's last seven opponents. Cosenza could already be relegated by the penultimate matchday, while Pisa could be confirmed as promoted. "It would be a huge mistake to think these games are any easier. Pisa certainly doesn't want to lose their last home game; the stadium will be packed. Cosenza just changed coaches again, so they haven't given up yet. And even if Cosenza is relegated by the penultimate matchday – teams that have nothing to lose often play better, as we all know."

According to Tait, the current FCS squad is no worse than it was in the last two Serie B seasons. "In our first season in the second division, we were carried by enthusiasm. As a league newcomer, you have this enthusiasm that unleashes unusual energy. Once you're on a roll, everything suddenly works out and nothing gets in the way. You just have to look at Juve Stabia this year."

End of career in South Tyrolean amateur football? Tait's contract with FCS runs until 2026. Where does the captain see himself after that? "I'm 32 now, and I'd like to continue until I'm 34 or 35. After my career ends, I can imagine staying at FC Südtirol – like Hannes Fink," Tait said. "Maybe I'll also like the coaching job, I don't know."

However, he doesn't want to let his career in South Tyrolean amateur football come to an end. "No, I can probably rule that out. I'd love to play with my brother (Emanuel Tait plays for Unterland Berg in the 3rd Amateur League, editor's note), but when I'm old enough to play football, I'd rather give it up. It's easy to end up looking pretty helpless and stupid, even at the amateur level."

Serie B Italian	SP	TV	P
1. Venice	33	67:28	71
2. Frosinone	34	65:33	69
3.Monza	33	51:27	66
4. Palermo	34	55:28	65
5. Catanzaro	32	50:39	53
6. Modena	32	43:28	50
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Fabian Tait: “Achieved tremendously in 4 months”

Is FC Südtirol ready for the final spurt in the relegation battle? The late equalizer against Carrarese and the defeat in Mantua have reduced their cushion to one point above the relegation zone and two points above the direct relegation zone. "We had a brief slump," said Fabian Tait.

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