FC Südtirol Cruise Past San Giorgio 7-0 in Pre-Season Friendly: Merkaj and Lopes Bag Braces

FC Südtirol secured a commanding 7-0 victory over San Giorgio in their third pre-season friendly of the summer, played at the training ground in Stanghe di Racines. The Serie B side used the match to build fitness and test combinations, with the scoreline reflecting a clear gap in quality against the Eccellenza (amateur) opponents.

First Half: Quick Start Sets the Tone

The home side opened the scoring in the 7th minute through defender Stabile, who slotted home with his left foot after a corner kick was cleared only as far as him. The goal came from a rebound, and Stabile made no mistake, finding the bottom right corner.

Six minutes later, Odogwu doubled the lead. Casiraghi played a through ball from Tronchin into the box, and Odogwu finished with his right foot from close range. The first half ended 2-0, with the white-and-reds in full control despite not yet hitting top gear.

Second Half: Full Rotation and Flood of Goals

Coach Davide Possanzini changed the entire outfield lineup at the break, keeping only Stivanello on the pitch. The changes added fresh energy, and the goals came quickly. In the 47th minute, Stivanello scored the third goal with a header from a corner taken by Pyyhtiä.

The fourth goal arrived in the 54th minute. Vasic slipped a pass to Mixtur on the left wing, who crossed for Merkaj to finish from close range. Merkaj added his second in the 85th minute, again assisted by Mixtur, this time finishing a counter-attack started by Lopes.

The final two minutes belonged to Vasco Lopes. In the 90th minute, he cut inside and beat the goalkeeper with a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner. One minute later, from a similar position, he smashed the ball under the crossbar to complete his brace. The referee ended the match shortly after.

Key Facts

Key Performances: Merkaj and Lopes Step Up

Silvio Merkaj, the 24-year-old striker, showed sharp finishing with two well-taken goals. His movement off the ball and link-up with Mixtur created clear chances. Vasco Lopes, a recent signing, made a strong impression with his pace and finishing ability. The Cape Verdean winger scored twice in the final minutes, demonstrating composure in front of goal.

Defender Stivanello, who played the full match, also stood out with a goal and solid defensive work. The clean sheet will please the coaching staff, though the opposition offered limited attacking threat.

What This Means for the Season

Pre-season friendlies are primarily about fitness and system integration, but the result gives FC Südtirol a confidence boost ahead of the new Serie B campaign. Manager Davide Possanzini was able to rotate the squad heavily, giving minutes to all available players. The team showed good understanding in attack, especially in the second half when the substitutes combined effectively.

The wide margin also highlights the depth of the squad, with multiple players capable of scoring. For San Giorgio, the match served as a tough test against professional opposition, an experience that will aid their own preparation.

Next Steps

FC Südtirol will continue their pre-season schedule with further friendlies before the start of the Serie B season. The club has not yet announced the next fixture. Fans will be watching for further integration of new signings and the development of tactical patterns.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-b/merkaj-lopes-sudtirol-impone-san-giorgio-amichevole-7-0-2258054