Serie C season concludes with dramatic final day across three groups
The 2025-26 Serie C season reached its climax on Saturday with the 38th and final round of matches across its three groups, setting the stage for the upcoming promotion playoffs and confirming several relegations. The day's action, as reported by Numeri Calcio, featured high-scoring draws, crucial victories, and dramatic late goals that finalized the standings ahead of the post-season.
In Girone C, the battle for playoff positioning intensified. Catanzaro secured a vital point against Atalanta U23 with a 92nd-minute equalizer from Caturano, while Crotone suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at home to Latina, who had Parigi score twice in added time. Foggia ended their campaign with a 3-1 loss to Salernitana. The 2-2 draw between league leaders Benevento and Audace Cerignola, featuring a brace from Cerignola's Gambale, had little impact on the already-decided champion's fate.
Girone B witnessed significant movement as Arezzo solidified their position with a 3-1 victory over Torres, thanks to goals from Tavernelli, Arena, and Pattarello. Vis Pesaro fell to a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Sambenedettese, who scored twice in the final minutes through Lonardo and Tourè. Juve Next Gen drew 2-2 with Bra, and Perugia managed a 1-1 draw against Forlì, leaving their final playoff seeding to be determined.
The results finalize the complex landscape for the Serie C promotion playoffs, a multi-round knockout tournament that offers a path to Serie B. Clubs finishing between second and tenth place, depending on the group, will enter the drawn bracket. Meanwhile, the direct relegations to Serie D were also confirmed, with the bottom two teams in each group facing the drop.
For many clubs, the focus now shifts immediately to the transfer market and planning for the next campaign, whether that involves preparing for a playoff run or rebuilding after relegation. The playoff draw is expected in the coming days, with matches scheduled to begin next month. The conclusion of the regular season marks the end of a long campaign for Italy's third tier, where financial constraints and competitive balance often produce unpredictable and thrilling narratives.
