The path to Serie B has been mapped out following the official draw for the Serie C playoffs. The national phase of the competition is set to begin, with the first round scheduled for two legs on May 10 and May 13. This stage will determine which teams advance to the next round in the quest for the final promotion spot.
The draw has created five intriguing matchups, pitting the best-performing teams from the regular season against the sides that emerged victorious from their respective group playoffs. The seeded teams, who earned their status through superior league finishes, are Ravenna, Potenza, Lecco, Renate, and Salernitana. They will face the non-seeded qualifiers: Cittadella, Campobasso, Pianese, Casarano, and Casertana.
A key rule of this playoff structure gives a significant advantage to the seeded clubs. They will host the crucial second-leg match at their home ground. Furthermore, the regulations state that if the aggregate score is level after the two legs, there will be no extra time or penalty shootouts. In such a scenario, the seeded team automatically advances to the next stage.
The winners from these five ties will then progress to the second national round. There, they will be joined by the three best second-placed teams from the three Serie C groups, creating a pool of eight contenders. This second round will again see the higher-seeded teams host the return leg, with the same rule applying: a draw on aggregate sends the seeded team through to the Final Four.
The ultimate prize for the last team standing is the final promotion place to Serie B. This comes after the direct promotions of Vicenza, Arezzo, and Benevento, who secured their spots at the end of the regular season. The playoffs represent the last chance for clubs to climb to Italy's second tier.
The draw, conducted on Thursday, May 7, has set the stage for a dramatic and compact series of matches. With the first leg just days away, the teams are preparing for a high-stakes battle where every goal and tactical decision will be magnified under the pressure of promotion hopes.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.com - Calcio.
