Foggia's young players are "going well", but Rossi is waiting for reinforcements

Running, intensity, grit, dynamism, beautiful play, a desire to fight and impress. Delio Rossi's new Foggia showed a bold side in their official debut of the 2025/26 season, and their victory at the "Zaccheria" stadium in the first qualifying round of the Lega Pro Italian Cup, in front of nearly three thousand spectators, infused a spark of enthusiasm and courage into a largely skeptical atmosphere that needs to be re-engaged, disappointed by a transfer window that has so far been sloppy. The 2-1 win against Siracusa represents a confidence boost for a team that is still a work in progress, less than a week away from their Serie C debut, which will be thrilling: next Sunday, they face Catania's fiery "Massimino" stadium for their league debut.

A good start for Rossi and his men, despite the relative credibility of a cup match between two teams still far from their league best. August football should be treated with caution. In any case, Rossi's men put in a convincing performance, growing in strength: a timid start, with the visitors taking control. Then the opening goal (Garofalo's penalty) helped dispel any fears and negative thoughts. Foggia benefited from the ease, displaying moves, exchanges, cuts, counterattacks, and interesting duels, and deserved to double their lead in the second half, scored by an emotional Bevilacqua. Contini's goal reopened the match but wasn't enough to put their qualification in doubt: newly promoted Siracusa, with just six substitutes on the bench and troubled by friction—according to reports from Sicily—between the club and sporting director Laneri and coach Turati, immediately bowed out of the competition, while Foggia booked their place in the second round of knockout matches, scheduled for late October (between the 28th and 30th), where they will play in Crotone.

Meanwhile, there's a lot of transfer work to do, including for Foggia, who lined up against the Sicilians with several out-of-position players, especially in defense, and a bench packed with youth players from the youth academy. A green line and a drastic wage cut have characterized the "Satanelli" transfer campaign so far, and they could soon sign another youngster with a background in AC Milan's youth system: Antonio Borgia, 22, a former Montevarchi, Vibonese, Lamezia, and Gravina midfielder. Rossi, however, has been silent for almost a month (he didn't speak before or after the match against Siracusa), and is also awaiting significant reinforcements from a professional level to boost the squad's depth and experience. They need another goalkeeper, a pair of central defenders, a playmaker, a center forward, and a few more additions on the flanks.

Owner Canonico was absent from the season opener, while judicial administrator Chionna was present in the stands. Meanwhile, the club has filed an appeal against the three-point penalty imposed by the National Federal Court for late payments last season related to the April federal deadline. The Federal Court of Appeal's decision is expected by the end of this month.