Fireworks at the end: 5.000 fans celebrate the FCS

The 2024/25 season ended for FC Südtirol on Tuesday evening. After the match against Bari, the Drusus Stadium became a big party location for the team's relegation.

13 May 2025

From the Drusus Stadium

From:
Thomas Debelyak

When referee Juan Luca Sacchi blew his whistle three times at 22.28:5.000 p.m. on Tuesday, ending the entertaining match on the green pitch at the Drusus Stadium, things got colorful behind the arena: Numerous fireworks shot up into the Bolzano night sky, and nearly 0 fans celebrated FC Südtirol, which had retained its Serie B status for the third consecutive time. The sporting result, the 0-XNUMX draw against Bari, was merely a side issue.

Even before the final Serie B matchday, FC Südtirol had achieved its major goal of the season. With the 3-3 draw in Pisa last Friday, the White and Reds earned mathematical certainty of remaining in Italy's second-highest division next season. However, Fabrizio Castori's team didn't take their final match against Bari lightly, and in front of almost 5.000 fans, a respectable game unfolded with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities. The only thing missing were the goals.

For FCS, not only debutant Edoardo Vergani was able to make a final appearance, but also Giacomo Poluzzi. The goalkeeper had been the undisputed number 1 in the white-red net for the past few years, but since January he has had to give way to Marius Adamonis. "Jack" shone with several strong saves against Bari, who still had a theoretical chance of making the playoffs before the match, thus contributing to the positive atmosphere in the Drusus Stadium.

Relegation is anything but self-evident

A turbulent and wild season for FC Südtirol thus has a happy ending. After the first half of the season, the White and Reds were still bottom of the table and had one foot in Serie C. Five months later, thanks to an outstanding second half, the sun is shining again. With 46 points, FCS finished the season in 10th place. A look at the relegation zone shows that staying in Serie B is anything but a given: the millionaire team and traditional club Sampdoria – still in Serie A two years ago – must take the bitter step of dropping down to Serie C.

The highlights

The top-class	Both teams need some time to get their engines running, but then things get going. First, Odogwu has a huge chance when he finds himself alone in front of Radunovic (but curls it over in the 18th minute). Then Baris Dorval has a goal-scoring exclamation mark, but his shot from 16 meters hits the crossbar.
Both here and there	After the break, the match continued to be back-and-forth, with Bari having the advantage in terms of chances. The southern Italians fired 31 shots on goal throughout the entire match, but only seven hit the net – and none went in. This was partly due to goalkeeper Jack Poluzzi's brilliant form. FC Südtirol had their best chance on a counterattack, but ultimately failed to score.

Now the big relegation celebration is taking place at the Drusus Stadium, where the players will mingle with the fans. The new Serie B season begins on August 22nd.

FC Südtirol – SSC Bari 0-0

FCS (3-5-2): Poluzzi; Kofler, Pietrangeli, Giorgini; El Kaouakibi (from 62. Barreca), Mallamo (from 62. Casiraghi), Tait, Pyyhtiä (from 46. Belardinelli), Molina; Odogwu, Vergani (from 46th Merkaj)

Bari (3-5-2): Radunovic; Mantovani, Simic, Obaretin; Favasuli (from 74. Oliveri), Maita (from 74. Lella), Benali, Maggiore (from 63. Falletti), Dorval; Favilli, Lasagna (from 74. Bonfanti)

Viewers: 4.807 (including 151 away fans)

Schlagwörter: Soccer Serie B FC Sudtirol Bari