A fierce atmosphere awaits FC Südtirol in Pescara. © Pescara Calcio

Tragedies and dazzling stars: This is the FCS opponent

Things are currently happening at a rapid pace for FC Südtirol: on Wednesday evening they face newly promoted Delfino Pescara – a club with a moving history behind it.

September 30, 2025

From: det

The jubilation was tremendous. With their playoff victory on June 8, Pescara completed their return to Serie B after four years in Serie C purgatory. For the storied club and its football-mad fans, this promotion was a true relief. In the second-highest division, Pescara has so far picked up four points from five matches and is in a playoff spot. Therefore, FC Südtirol (eight points, sixth place) will be favorites for their match in Abruzzo on Wednesday evening (8:30 p.m.).

Pescara certainly has one thing in common, though: a special history. This culminated in the 2011/12 season, when the storied club won Serie B, but also experienced an incredibly eventful year. During that Serie B season, the "Dolphins" were coached by none other than legendary coach Zdenek Zeman.

Immobile, Insigne, Verratti

Under his leadership, young stars like Ciro Immobile (then the top scorer with 28 goals) and Lorenzo Insigne (then 18 goals) truly flourished, as did Marco Verratti. The latter, a true native of Pescara, later became one of Europe's best midfielders at Paris Saint-Germain and acquired a 40 percent stake in Pescara last May.

Marco Verratti was one of Europe's best midfielders for years. © APA/afp / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Immobile, Insigne, and Verratti won European championships with Italy in 2021. Nine years earlier, they led Pescara to Serie A thanks to a dream season. However, the Pescara players were also struck by two tragedies that season. In March 2012, goalkeeping coach Francesco Mancini died unexpectedly: He had been attending regular training that morning, but that afternoon he suffered a heart attack at home and lost his life at the age of 43.

Morosini tragedy against Pescara

A few weeks later, another tragedy struck during a Pescara match: At the Adriatico Stadium – still Pescara's home stadium today – Livorno player Piermario Morosini collapsed after half an hour and died shortly afterwards in the hospital. This death deeply shocked the football world. Today, the away section of the Pescara Stadium bears Piermario Morosini's name. Despite these tragedies, the Blue and Whites managed to achieve promotion to Serie A.

Lorenzo Sgarbi plays for Pescara. © Pescara Calcio

In Pescara, FC Südtirol will face an old acquaintance on Wednesday evening: Lorenzo Sgarbi from Bolzano, who is under contract with the club from Abruzzo. The striker played in the first three matches, but was on the bench twice in the latter matches. Meanwhile, FC Südtirol coach Fabrizio Castori will be without Frederic Veseli, Daniele Casiraghi, Andrea Masiello, Davide Mancini, and Filipe Bordon.

Serie B, matchday 6

Tuesday, 20:30 p.m
Entella – Bari
Frosinone – Cesena
Juve Stabia – Mantua
Padua – Avellino
Palermo - Venezia
Reggiana – Spezia

Wednesday, 20:30 p.m
Carrarese – Modena
Empoli – Monza
Pescara – FC South Tyrol
Sampdoria – Catanzaro