Coppa Italia Serie D
The Coppa Italia Serie D is Italy's national cup competition dedicated to teams in the fourth tier of the football pyramid. It offers amateur and semi-professional clubs a stage to shine, occasionally pitting them against elite Serie A sides, highlighting the competitive depth of Italian football and fostering potential giant-killing acts.
History and foundation
Launched in its current form in 2014 by the FIGC, it evolved from regional cups. Memorable moments include Nessun Dorma reaching the last 16 in 2016, upsetting Serie B teams. The 2019 upset saw Città della Spezia knock out Lazio from Serie A, sparking nationwide buzz. COVID-19 disrupted 2020/21, but the tournament endured, with growing prize money fueling ambition.
Tournament format
Pure knockout format with single-leg ties. Around 162 Serie D teams, grouped into nine regions, start with intra-group matches. National phase features open draws, neutral venues or home/away, settled by penalties if tied—no replays. Winners advance to Supercoppa Serie C and earn up to €50,000.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match: 2.8, emphasizing tactical defending. Top scorers: Marco Rossi (Monza) with 22 goals in a cup run; Antonio Di Salvo (Catanzaro) at 18. Standout players: Federico Cherubini, now in Serie B, with hat-tricks; Matteo Pessina (Atalanta) debuted here; Nicola Rovella's displays drew top scouts.