The big announcement concerning Padova ahead of their home match with Frosinone had nothing to do with the players who will take to the pitch on Saturday afternoon.

A press release earlier in the week confirmed the ultras will be back at the Stadio Euganeo for a league game for the first time since May 2024. The diehard fans’ group boycotted the ground last season in protest at the state of the Euganeo, the team’s home since the early 1990s.

They are also at odds with the board over what they feel is a lack of transparency from the club about the stadium and its future, and have been following their team on the road only. So, the comeback has conditions.

The Appartenenza Biancoscudata group said: “The south curve is not finished; the new stadium and training centre are not currently achievable goals with this club up for sale. We at Appartenenza continue to strongly advocate for them for the sustainable future of the club itself.

“We return vigilantly, ready to change our minds if serious events arise. We return only to avoid burying the fire burning within our new young members. We return out of belonging, out of love for the jersey, to support the team.”

This return could be a timely one though as Padova, on their first adventure in the top flight for six years, go in search of a first win of the campaign.

An opening-day clash at Empoli, one of the favourites for promotion, did offer something of a free hit and after losing 3-1 they bounced back the following week to fight out a goalless draw at Carrarese.

Midfielder Pietro Fusi was sent off in that game and sits out against the Canaries, but as much of a concern will be Matteo Andreoletti’s side producing just one shot on target in Carrara. They are without a goal in three competitive matches since making the step up from Serie C, having lost to Vicenza in the preliminary round of the Coppa Italia.

Frosinone have fared slightly better over the opening few weeks, kicking off the campaign with a cup win at Monza, before beating Avellino then holding much-fancied Palermo to a goalless draw in Sicily.

But they will have to fight on without defender Riccardo Marchizza (knee) and forward Kevin Barcella (thigh) after the pair were added to the injury list.

The club said: “The clinical and instrumental tests performed on Riccardo Marchizza revealed patellofemoral syndrome in the right knee. Kevin Barcella has been diagnosed with a high-grade tear of the right adductor longus.”

Barcella’s fellow attacker, 23-year-old Massimo Zilli, came off the bench against Avellino and Palermo and he will be hoping for his chance.

A summer arrival on loan from Cosenza, he said: “I immediately felt a great connection with my team-mates: they made me feel welcomed into this family, which isn’t a given, and I’m very happy about that. I know the coach [Massimiliano Alvini] well. Last year, despite a difficult season, he helped me grow both mentally and technically.

“Padova will be very challenging. They have a strong squad and are a well-organised team. We’re coming off three good performances, and we’ll have to be careful not to rest on our laurels, stay focused and play our game.”

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