The match was settled late by the former Cosenza substitute, who scored his fifth goal of the season, his first away from home. The team dominated the pitch for a long time, but lacked finishing skills. De Caro and Saverino had the best chances in the first half. In the second half, Tedesco had a goal disallowed. The match was interrupted twice due to smoke bombs thrown by Etna fans.
Pre-match. Messina is looking for another win in Paternò, against a team that has only picked up two points in its last eleven games. Alessandro Parisi brings forward three new additions: the returning De Caro, Oliviero, and the Argentine Kaprof , making his starting debut. Among the home side, packed with young players on the bench, are two newcomers: the free agent Madiu Bari, originally from Guinea Bissau, who played in Luxembourg, and Alessio Romano, born in 2006 and signed from Avola. Away fans are prohibited from traveling to the match.
The match report. After initial deliberations, Messina attempted to take control and won a corner in the 9th minute. In the 15th minute, Lucatelli’s exit from Garufi’s free kick proved providential, once again evading the penalty. In the 20th minute, Giardino was alert, but Trasciani fouled Romano and was booked. Play was then interrupted for a few minutes after smoke bombs were thrown by Paternò fans, protesting the current management, which has condemned Etna to last place.
The first real chance came in the 26th minute: Maisano ‘s powerful shot was blocked by the home defenders. Messina came close again after half an hour: Tedesco’s cross-shot was saved by Lucatelli after a pinball in the box and a rebound off Brumat. Trasciani also had a go, but his shot went high over the crossbar. In the 36th minute, Saverino’s header went wide after Garufi’s cross, fresh from his two crucial assists against Acireale. Now the game was played solely in the Catania half, with Lucatelli constantly coming out. In the 38th minute, Zinnà made a fine save, resisting Garufi’s counterattack and firing from a tight angle at the near post; Giardino easily saved. In the 40th minute, Garufi’s free kick from the edge of the box was blocked, then De Caro attempted a shot from the center of the box but missed. Excellent work by Tedesco, who shielded the ball and played a fine back-heel to Saverino , who fired just over the crossbar from a great position. Messina missed numerous chances. At half-time, a substitution was made for each side: Touré replaced Saverino, with Di Fazio replacing Ababei. The Franco-Malian thus saw his playing time increase, as Parisi had predicted the day before.
After five minutes, play was interrupted again due to smoke bombs being thrown onto the pitch. The visitors’ usual territorial dominance continued, but Messina were unable to finish well, persisting in one-on-one situations that thwarted some good counterattacks. Paternò made an appearance in the 15th minute, but Giardino was alert to a save from Spaniard Cesani and only conceded a corner. Ferrandino also attempted a goal in the 20th minute, but the Parma-trained goalkeeper was still alert. Parisi made a triple substitution: Pedicone, Aprile, and Roseti were brought on, with Di Pietro coming on for the home side. The substitutions seemed to revive Messina’s spirits. In the 28th minute, Clemente was injured and replaced by Bosia. Tedesco fell in the center of the area and complained in vain about a hold that the referee failed to recognize. At the half-hour mark, another corner was awarded, with De Caro rising to the occasion, but his header went over the crossbar. Paternò raised their focus and earned another corner. Then Tedesco came to the fore, first held back by Ardizzone—who received a yellow card—and then, in the 35th minute, gave Messina the lead with a header. However, the goal was disallowed for an alleged foul by the striker. The visitors’ lengthy protests were in vain.
It was, however, the prelude to the goal, which came in the 37th minute with a precise strike from Roseti, his second consecutive goal, his fifth of the season and his first away from home. Paternò brought on Lucca, and the substitute immediately threatened one-on-one with Giardino, who was providential. Roseti tried first, but Lucatelli responded, and in the 45th minute, Touré fired just wide. Romano also threatened in stoppage time, but Giardino excelled again. Messina wasted further opportunities on the counterattack, failing to capitalize on the large spaces Paternò provided. The scoreline still finished 1-0. This was a crucial win for the team’s survival prospects, the second in a row, and it put them ahead of Acireale, Ragusa, and Sancataldese. Direct safety is just three points away, and next Sunday at home against Enna, ACR could already catch up.
The scoresheet. Paternò-Messina 0-1.
Goalscorer: Roseti in the 37th minute of the second half.
Paternò: Lucatelli, Zinnà, Marchetti, Brumat, Ferrandino, D’Aloia, Ardizzone, Cesani (Lucca 38th minute of the second half), Bari (Di Pietro 22nd minute of the second half), Ababei (Di Fazio 1st minute of the first half), Romano. On the bench: Branduani, Cordovana, Di Maria, Rizza, Longo, Iseppon. Coach: Francesco Millesi.
Messina: Giardino, Garufi, De Caro, Trasciani, Clemente (Bosia 28th minute of the second half), Maisano (Roseti 22nd minute of the second half), Saverino (Touré 1st minute), Matese, Kaprof (April 22nd minute of the second half), Tedesco, Oliviero (Pedicone 22nd minute of the second half). On the bench: Sorrentino, Papallo, Zerbo, Orlando. Coach: Alessandro Parisi.
Referee: Antonio Pio Pascuccio of Ariano Irpino. Assistant Referees: Greta Pasquesi of Rovigo and Stefano Orlando of Modena.
Notes – Yellow Cards: Trasciani (M), Ardizzone (P). Added time: 5′ first half and 5′ second half.
