Pisa Sporting Club Returns to Serie A After 34 Years: A Triumph Under Filippo Inzaghi
Pisa, Italy – May 4, 2025 – After a 34-year absence, Pisa Sporting Club has secured promotion to Serie A, Italy’s top football league, for the 2025-2026 season, marking their eighth top-flight campaign. The historic achievement, clinched on the 36th matchday of the 2024-2025 Serie B season, came despite a 1-0 loss to Bari, as third-placed Spezia’s simultaneous 2-1 defeat to Reggiana ensured Pisa’s unassailable nine-point lead with two matches remaining. Under the leadership of coach Filippo Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri have transformed from mid-table Serie B contenders into a promotion powerhouse, sparking wild celebrations in the streets around Pisa’s iconic Leaning Tower.
A Historic Return
Pisa’s return to Serie A ends a long journey through Italy’s lower divisions, including stints in Serie C and D following financial struggles and two reformations in 1994 and 2009. The club, founded in 1909, last competed in Serie A in the 1990-91 season under coach Mircea Lucescu, a campaign that ended in relegation. Their most successful era came in the 1980s under president Romeo Anconetani, when Pisa spent six of seven seasons (1982-91) in Serie A, achieving an 11th-place finish in 1982-83 and winning two Mitropa Cups (1986, 1988).
The 2024-2025 season saw Pisa, who finished 13th in Serie B the previous year, defy expectations. Inzaghi, appointed in summer 2024, instilled a disciplined, attacking style, leading the team to 69 points from 34 games and 58 goals, second only to league leaders Sassuolo. A critical 1-0 victory over Frosinone on May 1, coupled with Spezia’s loss to Salernitana, had positioned Pisa on the brink of promotion, needing just one point to secure their place. The final confirmation came on May 4, cementing Pisa’s runner-up finish behind Sassuolo, who had already clinched promotion.
Filippo Inzaghi’s Golden Touch
Former AC Milan and Juventus striker Filippo “Pippo” Inzaghi, 51, has been the architect of Pisa’s resurgence. Known for his passion and tactical discipline, Inzaghi transformed a squad of inherited players and strategic signings into a cohesive unit. This marks his second Serie B promotion, having led Benevento to Serie A in 2019-20. His pre-season regimen, described by players as grueling, fostered a culture of respect and hard work, with Pisa scoring first-half openers in 10 matches.
Key players like left-winger Mattéo Tramoni, who scored 13 goals in 23 appearances despite injury setbacks, and young defender Giovanni Bonfanti, personally recruited by Inzaghi, were instrumental. Striker Stefano Moreo and defender Simone Canestrelli also thrived under Inzaghi’s leadership, with the team averaging 2.43 points per game when Tramoni played. The club’s ownership, led by businessman Alexander Knaster and the Corrado family, provided stability, enabling Inzaghi to focus on building a competitive squad.
A City in Celebration
Pisa’s promotion has ignited fervor in the Tuscan city. Thousands of fans flooded the lungarni near the Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani, with crowds at their highest in over a decade. Social media posts on X captured the jubilation, with @TgrRaiToscana reporting streets “invaded by thousands of fans” and @OptaPaolo noting this as Pisa’s sixth promotion to Serie A. The Leaning Tower, visible from the stadium, became a backdrop for celebrations, with supporters awaiting the team’s return from Bari.
Challenges and Legacy
Pisa’s history is marked by resilience, having faced bankruptcy, relegations, and even a bus accident in 1955 that led to their lowest point in the Promotion league. Their return to Serie A, backed by Knaster’s investment and Inzaghi’s vision, positions Pisa as a symbol of Italian football’s evolving landscape, where smaller clubs can rise through strategic management. However, maintaining top-flight status will be a challenge, given Pisa’s five relegations in seven prior Serie A seasons.
The promotion also carries emotional weight, honoring the legacy of Romeo Anconetani, whose era defined Pisa’s golden age. As the club prepares for their first Serie A season since 1991, the focus will shift to strengthening the squad and ensuring the Arena Garibaldi, with its 15,000 capacity, is ready for top-flight football. For now, Pisa’s fans, players, and Inzaghi bask in a historic moment, three decades in the making.