Curtain up for the big finale: everything is ready in Bolzano

The dream of FC Südtirol lives on. Never before has a domestic club been so close to the second highest Italian league. “We have already achieved the best result in our club’s history. But at this point that's not enough for us: we want to get promoted to Serie B with all our might. Even though Pro Vercelli is clearly the favorite, we know that we are on an equal footing with our opponent. I'm confident because our team is in great shape," says FCS President Walter Baumgartner optimistically before the two decisive games.

Only Branca is missing

In order to achieve historic promotion, the FCS relies on its home strength. The White-Reds were once again a force at the Drusus Stadium this season: they won ten of the 15 home games there, they drew three times and only lost twice. In addition, the Rastelli troops always left their home fortress as winners in the two playoff games so far. In the first leg, all players, with the exception of the suspended Branca, are available to the white-red coach. Either Furlan or Vassallo will move into the starting line-up in Branca's place. In attack and defense, the FCS trainer relies on tried and tested methods.

Pro Vercelli just missed the direct climb

After a stormy race to catch up at the end of the season, Pro Vercelli narrowly missed out on direct promotion to Serie B this season. The Piedmontese celebrated 14 victories this season and had to share the points 15 times. There was only one defeat, namely on the fourth matchday against Feralpisalò. Scavone and Co. were relegated to the First Division at the end of the 2012-13 season and will do everything in the grand final to complete an immediate return to the second highest Italian league. The team from Vercelli has the best defense in the league and has won all of its playoff games to date (3-0 win against Feralpisalò in the quarter-finals, two 2-1 wins against Savona in the semi-finals). The top scorer is Ettore Marchi with 16 goals in 31 games.

Scavone: “It’s a shame I can’t play in Bolzano”

As far as the opposition's lineups are concerned, Scaglia will again be deployed on the left side of defense. Meanwhile, coach Cristiano Scozzola has to do without Bolzano midfielder Manuel Scavone, who will be missing in Bolzano due to a yellow card suspension. “It will be a very special duel. It's a shame I can't play in Bolzano. The FCS is a very strong team, but we have a clear goal in mind, namely a return to Serie B. I am sure that the final will remain very exciting until the end and I am looking forward to being able to take part in the second leg again,” said the South Tyrolean, who was part of the White-Red squad until the 2009/10 season.

The meeting of two old acquaintances

The two teams competed against each other no less than 20 times. The balance of the direct duels sees FC Südtirol in the lead with ten wins. Six games ended in a draw, while Pro Vercelli recorded a total of four wins.

In this championship, however, the Piedmontese were ahead. After the 0-0 draw in Bolzano, they won the second leg 2-0.

This is how they will play: FC South Tyrol (4-3-3): Facchin; Cappelletti, Kiem, Bassoli, Martin; Furlan, Pederzoli, Fink; Minesso, Corazza, Turchetta. Replacements: Micai, Tagliani, Peverelli, Bastone, Vassallo, Cocuzza, Veratti. Coach: Claudio Rastelli

Pro Vercelli (4-4-2): Russo; Marconi, Ranellucci, Cosenza, Scaglia; Erpen, Ardizzone, Rosso, Fabiano (Statella); Marchi, Greco Substitutes: Nodari, Cancellotti, Bani, Ghosheh, Statella (Fabiano), Disabato, Iemmello. Coach: Cristiano Scazzola

Referee: Rosario Abisso from Palermo (Gori-Maspero)

Game dates for the playoff final Lega Pro, 1st Division:

Circle A First leg: FC Südtirol - Pro Vercelli (June 1st, 18 p.m.) Second leg: Pro Vercelli - FC Südtirol (June 7th, 18 p.m.)

Circle B First leg: Lecce - Frosinone (June 1, 21 p.m.) Second leg: Frosinone - Lecce (June 7, 18 p.m.)

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Curtain up for the big finale: everything is ready in Bolzano

The first leg of the playoff final between FC Südtirol and Pro Vercelli takes place on Sunday in the Drusus Stadium in Bolzano. The TV match will kick off at 18 p.m. The decisive second leg will be played on Saturday June 7th at the Piola Stadium in Vercelli.

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