FC Südtirol (in white) meets Reggina on Friday evening. © DLife/LO

FC Südtirol before the game of the year

FC Südtirol has already experienced many highlights in its first Serie B season. Be it the home win against Parma or the triumph at the legendary Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo. On Friday evening, the White-Reds have the chance to top all of this again.

26 May 2023

From: dl

In its first year in Italy's second highest division, the FCS qualified for the playoffs. Hardly anyone would have thought this possible before the season and after chaotic preparation. “It’s a celebration for everyone. We definitely have reason to celebrate after the game against Reggina. Regardless of whether we progress or not,” explained successful coach Pierpaolo Bisoli at the final press conference.

The starting position for the FCS in the playoffs is clear: 6th in the table. FC Südtirol has home advantage against Reggina on Friday evening (20.30 p.m.). The winner advances to the semi-finals. If there is still a draw after 90 minutes plus extra time, the FCS is through because it was better placed in the championship. Bari will then wait for the winner in the semi-finals. From there there is a return game. Which team will ultimately be promoted to Serie A will be decided on Sunday, June 11th. But that is still a thing of the future.

The Reggina fans on their last visit to Bolzano. © DLife/LO

In the two direct duels in the regular season, both Reggina and the FCS won once. The South Tyroleans went down 0-4 in Reggio Calabria at the end of August. To date, this is the promoted team's worst defeat in Serie B; Bisoli was not yet on the bench at the time. At the end of January there was revenge in the Drusus Stadium when the FCS won 2-1. Reggina qualified for the playoffs at the last minute last Friday with a goal in stoppage time. “They gained a lot of enthusiasm from this. But we have that too – because of our entire season,” said Bisoli.

After the 1-2 defeat against Modena, the FCS coach spoke about “the worst 25 minutes since I’ve been here”. Bisoli was referring to the initial phase in which the FCS was 0-2 behind: “We only played well recently in the second half. That won't be enough to advance against Reggina on Friday." The guests led by coach Filippo Inzaghi will have to do without the suspended Jeremy Menez at the Drusus Stadium, who scored a dream goal in Bolzano at the end of January. At the FCS, right-footed Pippo De Col will probably defend at the left back due to the injuries to Simone Davi and Alessandro Celli. In the storm, the recently pale Simone Mazzocchi is threatened with the bench, and top talent Moustapha Cissé could replace him. By the way: Around 200 tickets can still be purchased for the game against Reggina on the FCS homepage.

The playoff schedule

Preliminary round:
FC Südtirol – Reggina (Friday, May 26th, 20.30:XNUMX p.m.)
Cagliari – Venice (Saturday May 27th)

Semifinals:
FC Südtirol/Reggina – Bari (first leg May 29th, second leg June 2nd)
Cagliari/Venezia – Parma (May 30th and June 3rd)

Finish:
First leg (June 8th), second leg (June 11th)