Lega Pro Seconda Divisione is the name of the fourth highest football league in Italy, the lowest with a professional status. Usually it consists of 36 teams, but in the season 2011–12 the teams were 41 divided geographically into two divisions of 20, 21. Group A covers northern and north central Italy, Group B south central and southern Italy.
Until the season 2007–08 the league was known as Serie C2.
Before the 1978–79 season there were only three professional football leagues in Italy, the third being Serie C. In 1978, it was decided to split Serie C into Serie C1 (the third highest league) and Serie C2. Upon its inception in 1978–79, Serie C2 consisted of four divisions, however, that number was reduced to three from the start of the 1991–92 season.
During the regular season, teams only play the other teams in their division. Each opponent is played twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 34 matches. Games are scheduled such that in the first 17 matches, every opponent is played once. In the last 17 matches, the same opponents are played in the same order with the only difference being that the venue changes.
Famous quotes containing the word pro:
“The upbeat lawyer/negotiator of preadolescence has become a real pro by now—cynical, shrewd, a tough cookie. You’re constantly embroiled in a match of wits. You’re exhausted.”
—Ron Taffel (20th century)